FIVE marine businesses from the county are exhibiting at the Southampton Boat Show, which starts tomorrow.

These include Williams Jet Tenders which designs and builds boats which sell for £15,000 to £100,000 from its base in Berinsfield.

Another is Bicester-based EP Barrus, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this week and plans to launch a number of new motor boats including the Quicksilver Activ 555 Cabin and Quicksilver Activ 875 Sundeck.

Other local firms at the show include boat retailer Henley Sales & Charter, Didcot teak specialist Kingsley Smythe and Watlington-based Crown Pavilions which makes luxury outdoor buildings.

Williams Jet Tenders co-founder and managing director John Hornsby said the firm saw a 20 per cent rise in turnover last year.

It builds 800 boats a year and employs 66 people.

He said: “We have bucked a lot of trends here, partly because we have the ability to design, engineer and build in-house.

“We are growing and taking on new staff at the moment.”

The firm takes on apprentices each year, as part of its ‘boat school’ where school leavers are put on a six-week course with the chance of a trainee job at the end.

Almost 600 firms will be on display at Southampton Boat Show and more than 10,000 are expected to visit the 10-day event which is in its 49th year.

The Boat Show runs until September 24. Tickets for start from £15, with two children under the age of 15 free with each adult.

To book tickets or for more information, see southamptonboatshow.com