MINI mayor Katherine Paisley performed the honours when Portland Port’s £2.5million tug was named.

She helped her dad, Portland Town Council Mayor Richard Paisley, launch the new boat at the former naval dockyard.

They unveiled a plaque on board the tug to officially name it Maiden Castle.

Katherine, aged seven, who goes to St George’s Primary School, said: “I liked pulling the flag away.

“I have told all of my friends at school about it.”

Katherine, who is dubbed ‘mini-mayor’ by her family, has accompanied dad Richard and mayoress mum Corinne to several official functions during his year in office.

They include the opening of the Portland Marina and the launch of the 1,000 days countdown to the Olympics.

Richard said: “It is a special year. Part of my focus is to involve younger children and Katherine enjoys coming along.”

He added: “Normally an adult would pull the flag away for the naming of the tug, but they asked Katherine to do it.”

He added: “The addition of the tug is excellent for the port. There’s nothing they can’t handle now.”

The addition of the tug to the Portland Harbour Authority and Portland Port’s fleet means more ships may visit.

Steve Davies, who is chief executive for Portland Harbour Authority, said: “With the arrival of the Maiden Castle we can now look to handle even larger vessels within the harbour waters and have the confidence that we can deal with any eventuality, whatever the weather.”

The Maiden Castle is the port’s fourth tug, but her arrival more than doubles the towage capabilities of the harbour.

The boat has a greater towing capacity than the harbour’s three existing tugs combined.

The tug will also be available to other businesses as well as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Mr Davies said: “The Maiden Castle will effectively be helping to protect the Jurassic Coast.”