Interest ahead of Britain's newest boatshow at Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, has been described as 'unbelievable'.

Archant Magazine Anglia Afloat (AA) will be staging its first show at the Wherry Hotel on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and event organiser Duncan Abel, AA's advertisement manager, said every inch of exhibition space had been sold.

He said: 'The response has been just as strong from the wider public with more than 800 people registering for free tickets.'

The latest boatbuilders from the region to confirm their participation are Hardy Marine at North Walsham, which will be bringing along its Bosun 20, a small motor boat, and Ferry Marina at Horning which will display its Funnell 27, a cruiser designed for the Broads.

The show will feature a major industry launch with Broom Boats of Brundall taking the wraps off its Broom 28, a luxury cruiser sleeping up to four people.

Other major industry players exhibiting from across the region include Haines of Catfield, whose agent Norfolk Yacht Agency, of Brundall, will be taking along both its 32 Sedan, the most successful model in its history, as well as the larger 42 Elegance.

Exhibitors from further afield will include the Fish and Duck Marina at Ely and Hertford Marina in Huntingdon.

Closer to home, the International Boat Building Training Centre in Oulton Broad will have a stand in the Wherry Hotel's spacious function room.

Mr Abel said the show's location, on the Broads but close to the coast, made it perfect for the display of offshore as well as river boats. He said the success meant they were already looking ahead to next year. Tickets on the door will cost £2. Visitors are asked to use the car park at Nicholas Everitt Park.