A new £3 billion aircraft carrier passed Dorset's coast as it made its way towards its home port. 

HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy's newest and largest ship, was spotted off Portland's coast yesterday as it made its journey to berth at Portsmouth Naval Base. 

The 280m, 65,000-tonne carrier, with a flight deck wide enough to fit three football pitches, sailed along the south before reaching its final destination where it received a very warm welcome. 

Thousands greeted the vessel as it sailed into Portsmouth this morning. There was also a flypast from the Fleet Air Arm, including Wildcat and Merlin helicopters and Hawk jets, as part of the celebrations.

Captain Jerry Kyd, commanding officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, said: "The UK's future flagship, as well her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales, will be powerful symbols of Britain's outward facing global character and ambition." 

More than 10,000 have been involved in the Carrier programme, with construction of the ship taking place across six cities. It will have a crew of around 1,600 when a full fleet of aircraft and helicopters are embarked.

Trial flights from the carrier's deck are due to begin next year.