Boaty McBoatface will explore the polar seas as a yellow submarine on board a £200m research ship named after Sir David Attenborough.

Science Minister Jo Johnson announced today that the humorous name - which became the runaway favourite in a public poll to christen the ship - would adorn a remote-control sub-sea that will explore the waters of the Atlantic.

But the research ship itself, where Boaty will be housed, will be named Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough, in tribute to the legendary explorer in the year of his 90th birthday.

Boaty McBoatface is set to become a reality in the form of a high-tech sub which will be on board the new polar research ship named after legendary explorer Sir David Attenborough (pictured)

The suggestion to name the ship after the veteran broadcaster attracted 10,284 votes in a poll staged by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - less than ten times the number of votes for Boaty McBoatface.

As the decision was announced this morning, Sir David - who has presented wildlife documentaries on the BBC including The Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet- said he was 'truly honoured'.

He added: 'I hope that everyone who suggested a name will feel just as inspired to follow the ship’s progress as it explores our polar regions.

'I have been privileged to explore the world’s deepest oceans alongside amazing teams of researchers, and with this new polar research ship they will be able to go further and discover more than ever before.'

Earlier this year, the NERC asked the public to suggest an 'inspirational name' which would reflect the ship's mission - studying ice sheets - and celebrates Britain's long naval history.

Ships are traditionally named after heroic explorers. But the title Boaty McBoatface was made the front-runner in the poll, garnering more than 124,000 votes.

BBC radio presenter James Hand, who put the name forward as a joke, later apologised for the situation 'getting out of hand' and said that - while he stands by Boaty McBoatface as a 'brilliant name'- he actually voted for RRS David Attenborough.

The sub will be aboard the new polar research ship which will be named Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough (pictured at the North Pole) in tribute to the legendary explorer in the year of his 90th birthday

The second most-voted name was the RRS Poppy-Mai - named after a 16-month-old girl whose father 'married' her in an attempt to give her the wedding of her dreams after it was revealed she had incurable cancer.

The RRS Henry Worsley, named after the explorer who died trying to make the first unassisted solo crossing of the Antarctic in January, was the third most popular with more than 15,000 votes.

RRS It's bloody cold here got 10,679 while RRS David Attenborough came fifth with 10,284.

Some of the more unusual of the 3,824 suggestions for the boat's name included the RRS Onion Knight, RRS I Like Big Boats & I Cannot Lie, and RRS Capt'n Birdseye Get Off My Cod.

The RRS Bowie, RRS Kanye West and RRS The Miss Cilla Black were also floated as possible names.

Science Minister Jo Johnson said the humorous name - which became the runaway favourite in a public poll to christen the ship - will be given to a remotely operated undersea vehicle that will explore the Antarctic

Mr Johnson said: 'This vessel will carry the Attenborough name for decades to come, as it fulfils its mission to explore the oceans and put Britain at the forefront of efforts to preserve our precious marine environment.

'The ship has captured the imaginations of millions, which is why we’re ensuring that the Boaty name lives on through the sub-sea vehicle that will support the research crew, and the polar science education programme that will bring their work to life.'

He added: 'While it was a difficult decision I’m delighted that our state-of-the-art polar research ship will be named after one of the nation’s most cherished broadcasters and natural scientists.’

Mr Johnson also announced today that the government will be investing up to £1m in a new Polar Explorer programme to engage the young scientists, engineers and explorers of the future.

The 420ft, 15,000-tonne high-tech ship, being built in the UK on Merseyside - supporting 400 jobs and 60 apprenticeships - will set sail in 2019 for the Antarctic, where Sir David filmed for his 1993 series Life in the Freezer.

Tonne for tonne, it will provide the UK with the most advanced floating research fleet in the world, conducting vital research into the world’s oceans and how we address climate change.

Boaty McBoatface will be sent to collect data and samples remotely from the deepest waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.

As the biggest commercial shipbuilding contract in Britain, the construction of RRS Sir David Attenborough is supporting 400 jobs and 60 apprenticeships.