THE Duke of Cambridge paid tribute to the "awe-inspiring" work of Sir David Attenborough during a naming ceremony for a Wirral-built polar research ship honouring the broadcasting legend.

More than 4,000 people attended the event, celebrating the end of work on RRS Sir David Attenborough at Cammell Laird in Birkenhead on Thursday.

During the ceremony, the Duke and Duchess followed tradition by smashing a bottle of champagne against the hull.

In a speech before the naming ceremony took place, Prince William highlighted the ship's vital work.

He said: "As last week's climate protests the world over and yesterday's report on our oceans and frozen regions demonstrated, there has never been a more important moment for this ship to get to work and there is no person more fitting for this beacon of scientific research to be named after than you, David.

"You have shown us how awe-inspiring the natural world is, and also how fragile and endangered it is, and you have inspired us all to do as much as we possibly can to protect it.

"It is my immense privilege and relief to welcome Sir David Attenborough, rather than Boaty McBoatface, to speak."

The ceremony launched a three-day immersive festival of science, engineering and ship building expected to attract thousands of people. Ice Worlds will bring the Polar Regions to life with over 20 exhibition stands.

Primary school students from the Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Polar Explorer Programme also met the Duke and Duchess as they took a private tour of the ship, which included visits to the galley, deck and bridge, where William got a chance to try out the captain's seat.

Local primary schools that have been studying the Antarctic and climate change take part in a 'penguin parade'.

27 children from St George's Primary School in Wallasey got the chance to take part in a penguin parade.

Beth Cumming, a year three teacher told the Globe: "I was very excited for the children.

"They were all very and bit overwhelmed, but they were so excited.

"It was an amazing opportunity for them."

Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) it is part of a major Government polar infrastructure investment programme designed to keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Sir David said it was the "greatest possible honour" for the ship to carry his name.

Highlighting its importance, the 93-year-old presenter, who accompanied at the ceremony by daughter Susan, said this afternoon: "It's no news to any of you that the world is facing great, great problems and the most aware of that are the young people of today, who will inherit this world.

"Great problems require great research and facts in order to solve them.

"That's what this astonishing ship will be here to do, to find out the facts and find the science with which to deal with problems that are facing the world today and will increasingly do so tomorrow.

"There could be no more important function for any ship, anywhere in the world, than those which are going to be dealt with by this remarkable ship, at the cutting edge of science."

The decision to name it RRS Sir David Attenborough was made in 2016, following a public vote staged by NERC beating its nearest rival, Boaty McBoatface.

In the coming weeks specialist engineers will complete the interior fit-out. A programme of technical and equipment testing will then take place around the River Mersey and in deeper waters around the UK.

Ice trials in the northern hemisphere are planned from March 2020, followed by a science rehearsal cruise from August 2020. The ship is scheduled to enter full service next October.

Laird's chief executive John Syvret CBE, said: "Cammell Laird CEO John Syvret CBE, said: "This is a historic day for Cammell Laird, and today's naming of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, arguably one of the most complex vessels afloat, underpins our re-emergence to the premier league of the global shipbuilding community.

"This is the 'Pride of Merseyside' and my special thanks go out to our workforce, TU, management and staff, together with our supply chain and all their families for their dedication and commitment to the project and the company."

The British Pobjoy Mint has created a commemorative £2 coin featuring the ship and a 50p coin featuring the autonomous submersible Boaty McBoatface, a miniature of which is a feature on the ship's deck.

Professor Dame Jane Francis, director of British Antarctic Survey, said: "This magnificent ship will take UK scientists deep into the heart of the ice-covered polar seas.

"With state-of-the-art technology they will discover how drastically the polar oceans and the ice have been changed by our actions. This ship will take us to the ends of the Earth to help us understand our future world."

Sir Mark Walport, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, said: "It will provide scientists with state-of-the-art facilities to undertake crucial research into the impact of global change on our oceans, marine biodiversity and climate, and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of polar science."