INVERCLYDE'S illustrious shipbuilding heritage and its ties with one of the world's most famous cruise lines were celebrated yesterday.

Provost Robert Moran was presented with a framed copy of an historic handwritten deal signed by Samuel Cunard, founder of the Cunard Line, famous Scottish engineer Robert Napier and Captain Henry Woodruff during a special presentation.

The document was a replica of one signed in 1839 - the contract for RMS Britannia, which was built at Robert Duncan's Yard in Greenock in 1840.

Yesterday's presentation took place at the cairn on the site of the former Scotts' shipyard in Greenock, next to the Cartsburn Roundabout. It was arranged to coincide with the visit of Cunard's modern day flagship, the giant Queen Mary 2, to the town's Ocean Terminal yesterday.

Local thespians added extra colour to the ceremony by dressing as Mr Cunard, Capt Woodruff and Mr Napier.

Provost Moran hailed the ceremony as 'fantastic'.

He said: "Inverclyde has a big connection with Cunard and shipbuilding and it's important we keep that link with the past." The first four Cunard ships were built in Inverclyde, two each in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

Greenock man Mr George Byng, who dressed as Samuel Cunard for the day, says it is vital to never forget the area's significance in the early days of Cunard.

He said: "It was important to set up this event to tie in with the visit of the QM2 and highlight the relationship between Greenock, Port Glasgow and Cunard - one which is unique for this area.

"We built 24 ships for Cunard, 17 in Greenock and seven in Port Glasgow.

"The first four, two in Greenock and two in Port Glasgow, were Britannia and Columbia and Arcadia and Caledonia." Yesterday's symbolic event was part of the first-ever Inverclyde Festival of Heritage and after the contract presentation the historical characters met with tourists and locals in Greenock.

Chris Jewell, from festival organisers Discover Inverclyde, said: "Shipbuilding has been a huge part of Inverclyde's past and it's great to be able to celebrate what the Greenock and Port Glasgow yards did all those years ago for what is one of the world's most outstanding cruise line companies.

"The people of Inverclyde have certainly taken Cunard liners - particularly QM2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 - to their hearts when they sail into Greenock." Provost Moran added: "I would like to pay tribute to Discover Inverclyde for the work that they and George Byng have done to recognise the history of the area."