Research newbuild RRS Sir David Attenborough is set to undergo two weeks of technical trials off the coast of north Wales

The UK's most advanced polar research vessel set sail from Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead on Wednesday morning (Afloat adds the newbuild this afternoon remains on Merseyside along the fasmous Liverpool waterfront).

It is operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the crew on board the vessel will also undertake 50 days of intensive training at Holyhead Port, Anglesey once the technical trials have been completed.

The new vessel (launched in 2018) is expected to transform UK research in the polar regions, including extensive work designed to boost understanding of climate change.

It first came to public attention in March 2016, when a poll conducted to come up with a name for the vessel was topped with the suggestion 'Boaty McBoatface'.

NorthWalesLive has more here.