A polar research vessel which the public wanted to call Boaty McBoatface has sailed past Kent.

The ship, now named after broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, headed up the River Thames this afternoon.

Photographer Jason Arthur captured the famous ship as it sailed past Gravesend.

The RRS Sir David Attenborough is one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world.

It was commissioned by The Natural Environment Research Council for operation by British Antarctic Survey.

Britain has been a world leader in polar exploration and research for over a century, and RRS Sir David Attenborough is designed to support science in extreme environments.

The ship was on the way to London for the Ice Worlds festival at Greenwich, a three-day pre-COP26 family-friendly festival of science and engineering which runs from tomorrow until Saturday.

The festival is free and looks at polar science and exploration but some tickets need to be booked in advance.

The original name proposed for RRS Sir David Attenborough was Boaty McBoatface, after a public vote. That was rejected but was given to one of three robotic subs now on board the main ship.

You can track the vessel here.

You can also see pictures from the ship's webcam here.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend