A new Italian cruise liner has arrived in Kent ahead of its gala christening ceremony this weekend.

Two Dover Harbour Board tugs fired water cannons in salute as the massive MSC Poesia sailed into the harbour on Friday and made her way to her berth at the cruise terminal.

It is there that Italian film icon Sophia Loren will officially christen the ship just before midnight on Saturday as part of a star-studded night of entertainment.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent will be the royal guests, and Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, singers KT Tunstall and Peter Grant, and the Ronnie Scott Orchestra will perform on board the ship on the night.

It will be the first time that an MSC liner - which can accommodate more than 3,000 guests in 1,275 cabins and has its own theatre, tennis court and two swimming pools - has been christened outside Italy.

The vessel will depart at 6pm on Sunday.

Would-be poets from Kent are running out of time to enter a poetry competition organised in honour of the new ship.

People are invited to write a poem - in any style but no longer than three verses - about anything they feel passionate about.

The winner will be chosen by Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and receive two tickets for a week-long cruise holiday on the MSC Poesia’s sister ship, MSC Orchestra.

Poems must be in by midnight on Saturday. Entries should be submitted via www.mscpoesia.co.uk.