Norfolk Broads holiday operator Herbert Woods is targeting the growing market for large family groups with a new style of holiday boat.

Company partner Michael Whitaker yesterday took the wraps off two 44ft cruisers, to be called Dazzling Light, which are in the early stage of build in their Potter Heigham shed.

The hull and superstructure of the £200,000-plus boats have been bought from Alpha Craft at Brundall, but all the fitting out is being done by Herbert Wood boatbuilders with the help of local sub-contractors.

Mr Whitaker said: 'There is virtually nothing that we don't source from Norfolk.'

The first of the boats, with a luxury spec including a bow thruster for ease of mooring, sun deck with dining area, two bathrooms, dual steering, warm air heating system, LCD TV and DVD, will be ready in March and the second by mid-summer.

He said: 'The design - with four double cabins - has been driven by us talking to our customers. It is very popular now for large groups, perhaps two families, coming on holiday together.'

Fellow partner Amanda Walker said: 'People were ringing up about Dazzling Light before it was even listed in our brochure.

'Bookings have already been taken on both boats and the first one is virtually sold out for the next schools' summer holiday.'

The ongoing investment in new boats is being funded through the sale of some of the company's older cruisers, dating to the 1980s, to the private market.

Investment will continue in the company's marina, including the refurbishment of a third apartment in the Herbert Woods tower, and improvements to private moorings on the site.