CROWDS gathered to watch a historic paddle steamer set sail from the end of Clacton Pier on her way to Tower Bridge in London.

The sea was calm as Waverley slipped away from the edge of the pier before disappearing into the mist this afternoon.

The ship is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its maiden voyage in 1947 and is currently running trips from Clacton to the Thames and the Blackwater Estuary.

She was built on the Clyde in Scotland and named after Sir Walter Scott’s first novel.

Waverley ended her working life in 1975 and was bought for £1 by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society.

Since then she has carried more than five million passengers from over 60 ports around the UK.

A major restoration project to return Waverley to her 1940s style was completed in 2003.

Cruises from Clacton to the Thames takes place this Saturday at 1.30pm and on October 5 at 12.30pm.

She sets sail for the River Blackwater from Clacton on October 4 at 2pm.