FIFTEEN years ago this week, the QE2 announced her arrival at the mouth of the River Tyne with a booming horn that reverberated through the air.

A farewell reception had been organised before it set off for Southampton on its final cruise, before becoming a luxury floating hotel on the Palm Jumeirah development, in Dubai.

Cunard’s longest-serving express liner was met at the mouth of the river at about 7am on October 8, 2008, by three tug boats which guided her through the breakwater.

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The great ship presented an impressive sight as she towered over Tynemouth Priory and dwarfed bystanders waving her on.

The morning was blessed with a fresh breeze and clear skies – and perfect lighting conditions for photographers, who had been waiting since the crack of dawn to record the historic occasion.

A boy with cerebral palsy no longer had to rely on a pushchair – because he had his own specially adapted tricycle.

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In October 2008, then-three-year-old Alexander Waters was unable to walk and was frustrated that, unlike his older brother and friends, he did not have a set of wheels.

Fifteen years ago this week, he was given an £800 tricycle designed to help improve muscle tone development and stimulate his movement.

The youngster, from Hartburn, in Stockton, already used a similar bike while at nursery school in nearby Thornaby.

His father, Ian Waters, said that although Alexander still had to be pushed on the trike, he was overjoyed that he could now join in family activities alongside his then-eight-year-old brother, James.

Mr Waters said: “Now we can all get out and about as, before, he only had his buggy for trips to the park.

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“When everyone else is riding their bikes, he was becoming quite irritated.

“He doesn’t like sitting around for any length of time, so this will get him out and about again. “

The tricycle was given by Caudwell Children, a national charity which donates treatments, therapies and specialist equipment to sick and disabled youngsters throughout the UK.