The Medway Queen paddle steamer will take prime position in the 75th anniversary of the Dunkirk landings in the Second World War – thanks to funding secured by her newly-appointed patron Admiral Lord West.

The former head of the Royal Navy has clinched a £15,000 grant which will pay for the ship, hailed as the Heroine of Dunkirk, to be towed to Ramsgate where the historic evacuation of the beaches, in which thousands of troops were rescued, will be remembered.

It means the vessel, which is being restored at Gillingham Pier, will be able to attend the five-day ceremony where she will take centre stage as the largest and most famous of the Little Ships.

Admiral Lord West, who visited the ship for the first time last month, will oversee re-organisation of the management of the Medway Queen Preservation Society, whose members have spent decades trying to save her from the scrap yard.

John Kempton, vice-chairman of the Medway Queen Preservation Society, said: “We are extremely grateful to Admiral Lord West. This is wonderful news and we thank him for his support in the short time he has been our patron.”

The news has also be welcomed by Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti who accompanied the First Sea Lord on his tour of the ship and workshop.

Mr Chishti said: “The funding will ensure the Medway Queen takes her rightful place at the commemorations. She is a huge part of our heritage, both locally and nationally, and deserves full recognition as such.”

The funding comes from the Gosling Foundation, a London-based charity run by former Royal Navy officers.

The anniversary of Operation Dynamo in 1940 will be marked in Ramsgate and Margate between May 20 to 25.

The Medway Queen will not be joining the fleet on the emotive voyage to Dunkirk. The vessel is not able make the trip under her own steam and the insurance to tow her across the Channel would be too expensive.