A ship which rescued thousands of soldiers from Dunkirk during the Second World is set to welcome back visitors following its restoration.

The Medway Queen arrived back in Gillingham last month after undergoing work in Ramsgate.

The Medway Queen is set to welcome visitors after a refurbishment

It's five-month long revamp had taken place at the Royal Harbour since July last year, and we got a sneak peek at the vessel before it is opened to the public.

The historic paddle steamer, built in 1924, and originally intended as a tourist vessel, first found fame for her vital role in saving 7,000 Allied troops from the beaches of northern France in 1940.

Dubbed the "Heroine of Dunkirk" she was refitted for civilian use and later became a floating nightclub off the Isle of Wight.

Now back in Gillingham, visitors will be able to tour the iconic vessel once more from Saturday following the efforts of volunteers.

Pam Bathurst, of the Medway Queen Preservation Society, said: "She really is a beautiful ship. I can feel the happiness that is within this ship. She's a magnificent vessel, she really is."

The Medway Queen will be open to the public from 11am until 4pm with the last tour taking place at 3pm.

Mrs Bathurst added: "You get a tour around the visitor's centre where all the information is on the walls.

"Then you are brought over where you can wander around the ship, get a cup of tea in the galley and just soak in the ambience."

After suffering damage to her hull, the ship was towed back to the River Medway on a pontoon in 1984, where she fell into disrepair.

The Medway Queen Preservation Society was then formed, with an ambitious long-term plan to get repairs done, and through tireless fundraising efforts vital work has been carried out on the ship.

A £1.8 million grant was eventually secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards rebuilding the ship's hull and she spent years in Bristol while the repairs were carried out.

When the war started she was used to evacuate children away from London and then used a minesweeper.