Electric-powered hire boats could be operating from the banks of the River Yare later this year.

The venture between Freedom Boating Holidays and MBA Marine would allow people to hire vessels from River Green, Thorpe St Andrew.

It is one of several ideas proposed for the stretch of riverbank, which is located off Yarmouth Road.

The town council has already outlined its plans to regenerate the area with new toilets, a ticket office and centenary garden.

And it is hoped that the new scheme, which is still in its early stages, would be able to utilise some of those facilities.

But Mark Appel, owner of MBA Marine, said everything would need to be in place by mid-summer if the project was going to go ahead.

He explained: 'We hope to be ready for Easter, but that is whether or not we get the go ahead [from the Broads Authority]. If it isn't ready by mid-summer at the latest, it would not be viable this year.'

The project would see at least four electric and diesel hire boats operate from River Green. The electric boats travel around four to five mph and can be out on the water for up to seven hours.

Meanwhile, the diesel boats would be available for hire for full days.

The idea has already gone before the town council, which was in favour of the proposals.

Town mayor Ian Mackie said: 'This will be a great addition for residents using River Green and it will also provide the council with a useful income stream when it takes back the quay headings from the Broads Authority.'

From this year the council will have to pay £10,000 to maintain 170m of quay heading on River Green.