Red carpet for royalty

Staff at Brintons Carpets have supplied floor coverings to more than 500 ships - including the QE2 - and are also particularly proud of their work in covering the prestigious Queen Mary II with 65,000 sq metres of wool-rich Axminster. Their wares received royal approval after being walked on by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the 150,000 tonne vessel's official naming ceremony on Thursday.

Brintons' executive vice-chairman John Pilling said while the firm was used to rolling out the red carpet for VIPs - having supplied floor coverings to Buckingham Palace, the White House and the Kremlin - it was particularly excited about the work on the £550 million QMII.

"It's very unusual for one company to be awarded the entire contract for the cabins, corridors and public areas - and we are now the number one supplier of carpeting to the cruise industry."

He added more than 70 different designs had been created for the contract which was worth "well over £1million" - and it began weaving carpets for the cabin areas of the ship in its Indian factory more than a year ago.

Work on the 80 per cent wool Axminster for the liner's public areas began on the Kidderminster site in March last year.

Mr Pilling said: "The whole ship is styled in a 1930s liner art deco style and the carpets do more than just complement the design - they create the whole ambience of the ship.

"We are used to carpeting prestigious buildings and having royalty walk on our carpets - but are very proud of the QMII contract and what our employees have done."

Other famous names at the 50-minute opening ceremony included Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Jimmy Savile. Entertainment was provided by the Royal Marines bands, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and divas Lesley Garrett and Heather Small.

The superliner, which was built in France, set off on its 14-day maiden voyage from Southampton to Florida on Monday.