Full steam ahead from Folkestone to London

The Waverley travelled from Folkestone Harbour to London

The world's last sea-going paddle steamer has made its first trip from Folkestone to London in over 20 years.

The Waverley set off from Folkestone Harbour at 10:00 BST with 600 passengers onboard.

It sailed past the White Cliffs of Dover passing Deal and Ramsgate before heading to the Thames Estuary and up to London.

It was due to pass under Tower Bridge before returning to Kent and docking at Gravesend.

Paul Semple, general manager of Waverley Excursions, said: "Today was a big day as she hasn't travelled so far from Kent to London in 20 years.

"It was a really popular trip and she has been welcomed in every Kent port she's stopped at.

"Folkestone Harbour has been fantastic in welcoming The Waverley."

The paddle steamer has been in south-east England since 23 September taking passengers on day trips.

The Waverley docked at the recently-opened Limehouse Landing in Rochester on 26 September, believed to be the first time it had visited the town.

It broke down heading to Southend from Gravesend on Thursday when a fault was found in the port paddle wheel area.

A spokesperson said it was "an easy fix".

Crowds lined along Folkestone Harbour Arm to see the paddle steamer

The Waverley was launched along the River Clyde in Scotland in 1946.

The oil-fired steamship replaced an earlier PS Waverley that was lost during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940.

It first visited the River Thames in 1978.

The paddle steamer's final south-east England trip of the season is on Sunday, from Gravesend and Southend, before it returns to Scotland.