The newly fully restored tug, Challenge, is due to arrive in Gravesend next week.

It is hoped she will spend all of Tuesday moored up, en route from a maritime festival in Great Yarmouth before sailing up river to London.

It has particular local importance as she is returning to her home port.

It was almost 20 years ago when the tug was acquired by the Dunkirk Little Ships Restoration Trust which aims to restore vessels that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.

With the help of the Heritage Fund and a band of loyal supporters and helpers, the tug underwent a long spell in Shoreham dry dock where a new boiler was installed and her main engine was rebuilt.

On May 4, she got under way for her shake-down journey from Shoreham to her new home in Southampton.

She will be open to the public in St Katharine Docks, London, during a classic boat festival from September 10-15.