The Southern Daily Echo has begun 2004 on a high, with the debut of the Queen Mary 2 giving the paper a circulation boost and its best promotional seller for a decade.

While the world’s largest ocean liner loomed large over Southampton docks for a 17-day stay, the Echo pushed the boat out and the Queen Mary 2 dominated the news agenda too.

Readers were treated to three special editions, a 36-page in-paper supplement and a glossy souvenir book – which has sold around 900 copies at £10 each since it went on sale on Monday, January 12.

A bigger than usual Boxing Day team was assembled to cover Queen Mary 2’s triumphant arrival.

Shipping editor Keith Hamilton and reporter Kieran Fox had a first-hand view from on board as the ship sailed up the Solent while reporters Jamie Thompson, Sarah Jones and Tom Husband and photographer John Luthwaite mingled with onlookers on the shore. Deputy picture editor Stuart Martin had a close-up view from a special launch that accompanied Queen Mary 2 into the docks.

And when the Queen performed the official naming ceremony, chief feature writer Ali Kefford, reporter David Newble and photographers Stuart Martin and John Luthwaite accompanied Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh on their tours of the ship while Keith Hamilton mixed with the invited guests.

The paper’s special events team also set up a roadshow stall by the water’s edge and sold almost 2,000 copies of the paper with a Queen Mary 2 poster and supplement in just three hours.

They returned a few days later as the ship set off for her maiden passenger voyage to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and sold another 2,382 copies.

The departure was covered by Keith Hamilton with pictures by Stuart Martin and photographer Chris Moorhouse.

Southern Daily Echo editor Ian Murray said: “Last year was a cracking year for the Daily Echo with Saints reaching the FA Cup final helping to increase circulation throughout 2003, so it is good to start the new year on such a high.

“It was thanks to the professionalism of our first-class editorial team that we put together such a marvellous package of coverage of Queen Mary 2’s arrival, stay and departure – and our sales team have described it as the best promotional seller we have produced for a decade.

“Early indications are that we’ve already achieved another healthy circulation rise and long may it continue throughout 2004.”

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