Ever Given: 'I just want to see how big it was and it's huge'

A huge container ship that disrupted global trade when it got wedged in the Suez Canal has arrived at its berth in Felixstowe. It was welcomed in by dozens of onlookers who had come to see it dock.

The 400m-long (1,300ft) Ever Given was wedged across the canal in Egypt before salvage crews dislodged it.

It finally set sail last month after Egypt signed a compensation deal with its owners and insurers.

It docked at Felixstowe on a sunny Tuesday, with a beach lined with deckchairs and ship-spotters.

What did some of those who gave up their day to watch the ship come sailing in make of the experience?

Lola Jarvis, 32, arrived at midday to see the Ever Given arrive with her 10-year-old son, Charlie.

"We heard lots about it on the news and there was a lot of fuss so we thought we would come down and make the effort," she says.

Miss Jarvis says the arrival of the container ship "went really quickly".

"We were waiting quite a long time for it to come in, and it's here, it's almost over, but it was fascinating," she says.

Charlie says: "I just want to see how big it was."

His verdict? "It's huge!"

Miss Jarvis says it was "definitely" worth making the trip to Felixstowe.

"It was pretty impressive, I must say. It's hard to believe when you look at it, that it got stuck, but we get to say 'We were here when it arrived'," she says.

Kirsty Simpson, 35, has packed up a picnic and come down with her children William, eight, Poppy, five and their gran Patricia Davies.

"My little boy William - he's mad on ships - so we've been here since 09:00 as we were unsure on the time and didn't want to miss it," Ms Simpson says.

They have come from Capel St Mary, a few miles from Ipswich, and brought enough food and drink with them "to set us up for the day", she says.

She says seeing the Ever Given arrive was "amazing".

"It's so nice to see it come in and with everybody here it's just been a lovely atmosphere. Everyone is a bit amazed," she says.

Ms Davies says those gathered to see the ship were "in awe" as it came in.

"It's marvellous to see it come in after everything it's been through," she adds.

Ms Simpson says the family spends so much time at the port, "if William doesn't end up working on the docks or on a ship, it'll be amazing," she says.

Meanwhile, little Poppy might be enjoying a day out, but admits: "I don't really like boats".

Alan Cutting from Ipswich came to see the Ever Given with his granddaughter Greta, who is visiting from Bournemouth.

"We've come to this part of the beach especially to see it," he says.

He was "surprised how empty" the Ever Given was when it arrived at Felixstowe

Mr Cutting says he has seen a lot of container ships arrive at the dock but describes this an "I was there" moment, because of the amount the ship has been in the news.

But his granddaughter does not seem as interested.

"She's more concerned with throwing stones in the sea," he says.

Phil Cooper, 60, is currently on holiday in the area and says the arrival of the Ever Given is a "coincidence" but a "great one".

He says: "It is amazing, I know it is just a boat, but it is quite exciting really."

Seeing Ever Given arrive at Felixstowe was "well worth waiting for", he adds.

"It's something else to add to the holiday, so it's very interesting," he says.

He was following the news about the Ever Given when it was stranded in the canal.

"I think everybody was following it - it was amusing at the time."

He has come along with members of his family and "all the grandchildren and the dogs - they're all ours," he says proudly.

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]