The world's tallest cruise ship has arrived in Kent ahead of its first-ever public voyage.

Golden Horizon, which boasts five towering masts and extends to 160 metres in length, is running four cruises from Dover this month - with the first due to depart tonight.

It has been docked in the town throughout today after arriving from Falmouth.

The luxury ship, which can carry 272 passengers, 159 crew members and has 140 sea-facing cabins, is catching the eye of onlookers during its inaugural visit to Dover.

It is world’s largest square-rigged sailing vessel and a near-replica of the France II vessel built in 1913.

Built in Croatia, the mammoth ship weighing 8,440 tonnes was originally named Flying Clipper but was renamed by Tradewind Voyages - the firm which is running its cruises.

Sonia Limbrick, head of cruise at the Port of Dover said: “We offer a very warm welcome to the beautiful Golden Horizon here in Dover today, what an extraordinary ship she is.

"I hope our local community makes the most of the rare opportunity to see her before she departs for four cruises throughout July.

"I’m really pleased to see the cruise season back in full swing again; it’s exciting to see another new cruise line at the port today, both for the first time in Dover and as she prepares to embark on her first ever voyages.”

Following on from the four-day cruise departing today, Golden Horizon will also set sail from Dover on July 19, 24 and 31.

It is registered to the port of Malta, and the hull is strengthened to ice class standards for voyages to the Arctic and Antarctica regions.

Earlier this month, the Disney Magic cruise ship left Dover after a 15-month stay.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover