‘Anti-paparazzi’ device fitted to Abramovich yacht

The London-based Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich is reported to have fitted his 550ft mega-yacht Eclipse with the ultimate deterrent. Not content with anti-missile defence system to thwart pirates and terrorists, and a mini-submarine in which to escape should all else fail, he has apparently ordered a laser shield designed to 'knock out' photographers' digital cameras.

According to a report in the Sunday Times, it uses infrared lasers to detect the electronic light sensors - known as charge-coupled devices - in any cameras being operated nearby. "When the system detects such a device," the paper reports, "it fires a focused beam of light at the camera, disrupting its ability to record a digital image".

The 'shield' should allow Abramovich and his girlfriend Dasha Zhukova - reportedly pregnant with their first child, though this has not been confirmed - to sunbathe by day in peace, and by night to roll back the retractable roof of their master suite and enjoy the stars without being pestered by paparazzi hang-gliding above them.

The Sunday Times claims the yacht, commissioned three years ago, finally left the Blohn & Voss shipyard in Hamburg last week on its maiden voyage, with 150 engineers on board checking for last-minute snags. Abramovich asked for so many extras that the cost of contructing and fitting out the vessel has doubled to more than £720m.

He was especially keen to have it ready in time for the 2010 World Cup. If Russia qualifies, he apparently plans to anchor off Cape Town and fly to matches by helicopter. Should he invite a billionaire pal back for a post-match beer, it won't be a problem: Eclipse has two helicopter pads. ·