THE Queen Mary 2 will be accompanied by some smaller waterborne cousins when she sails into Liverpool later this month.

The world’s longest, widest, tallest and, at £400m, most expensive cruise liner will be flanked by three Mersey Ferries when she visits her spiritual home.

Merseytravel has arranged for all three ferries to take to the water during the visit on Tuesday, October 20, to give passengers a close-up look at the greatest ship currently sailing any ocean.

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, which owns and operates the ferries, said: "The Mersey Ferries will offer a fantastic opportunity to make the most of the visit of the Queen Mary 2.

"We’re doing what we can to make the QM2 as accessible to as many people as possible."

Extra cruises will be laid on throughout the day with blue badge guides providing commentary on many of the trips, while two ferries will sail out, from Seacombe and the Pier Head, to meet the QM2 as she enters the Mersey at around 11am.

Trips will last all day until a massive firework display lights the sky from 10pm to say goodbye to the 1,250 crew cruise liner.