THE big day is finally here as the largest outdoor boat show in Europe opens its doors.

Southampton Boat Show is set to be opened by former Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan, who is currently starring as an Army medic in the BBC1 drama Our Girl.

Also appearing will be members of GB’s Olympic sailing team including gold medallists Giles Scott (Finn class) Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (470 Dinghy) and Nick Dempsey who scooped silver in the windsurfing at Rio.

Eddie Jordan also spoke at the show and maritime legend, round the world yachtswoman Dame Ellen McArthur was at the show.

Te yacht was funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery, for her trust which provides sailing trips for young people recovering from cancer.

This year’s show, the 48th, will see hundreds of boats on display at Mayflower Park and Town Quay, including 330 on the water in the show’s marina, where there more than 2km of pontoons.

Some 600 brands will be exhibiting at the show, almost a quarter of them based in Hampshire highlighting the importance of the marine industry to the region – it’s estimated that the industry generates £868.46million for the south east and employs 8,000.

Key companies taking part in this year’s Show include Bainbridge International, Discovery Yachts, Doyle Sails, Eberspacher, Furuno UK, Harken UK, IBTC Portsmouth, X-Yachts and Hamble Sea School.

New attractions for 2016 will include the Festival Stage, the tall ship Artemis and Bumper Boats for younger visitors.

There’s also a chance for visitors to try their own seamanship at the Try a Boat and Get Afloat features.

Murray Ellis, British Marine Boat Shows’ Managing Director, said: “Following a summer full of sporting successes for Great Britain what a better way to get active and explore the world of boating and watersports than a visit to the Southampton Boat Show where you can celebrate our nation’s boating heritage and meet sporting elite."

Find out more about our 64-page Boat Show supplement free inside today’s edition of the Echo.