Kingston is officially the desired destination for the Queen’s royal barge the Gloriana, after discussions to place the vessel elsewhere ceased.

Kingston Council has received a letter from Lord Sterling, who commissioned the barge, saying the borough is now the preferred site.

The letter, addressed to council leader Kevin Davis, said: "I confirm that we consider that a permanent boathouse to be built on the site under discussion in the Royal Borough in non tidal waters would be an ideal home for Gloriana.

"At the appropriate time I intend to inform the Palace and for good order’s sake will not be continuing discussions elsewhere.

"I hope the project can proceed at a pace that enables us to meet a deadline of June 2016."

The Gloriana was commissioned for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and was the lead vessel in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

Talks to house the Gloriana in neighbouring borough Richmond fell through last year following huge opposition from residents over a proposed £1m boathouse at Orleans Park in Twickenham.

The same day Richmond withdrew its plans, Kingston emerged as a frontrunner to house the 94-foot long barge inside a barge dock on the edge of Canbury Gardens.

Kingston mayor Ken Smith said: "I think it is wonderful that Gloriana is coming to Kingston. Richmond’s loss is our gain.

“It is going to be something that many people will want to see so it will bring visitors into the town and help businesses."

Coun Davis said: "We are up for it and we are stepping into action. Kingston is the preferred site.

"The next step is an agreement with the barge dock owner in Canbury Gardens. The pressure is going to be on him and the council to make this happen.

"If we could get a scheme together to get some grant funding to make it happen then the Gloriana is going to come to Kingston."

The barge dock is owned by Mike Spenser-Morris, owner of NHP Leisure Developments, which built the Kingston Heights housing complex on the Kingston power station site.

We have been unable to contact Mr Spenser-Morris or NHP for comment.