The UK's newest polar research ship has been officially named in a ceremony at the facilities of local builder Cammell Laird.
The vessel has been christened Sir David Attenborough after the celebrated English television host and nature conservation advocate.
Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and operated by British Antarctic Survey, Sir David Attenborough was built as part of a £300 million (US$368 million) UK government research programme that will cover the Antarctic and Arctic regions.
The vessel is undergoing final fitting out prior to beginning full operational sailing.
