IT'S the heart of the south's recreational boating community and an area of great environmental importance.

Now the River Hamble has a pair of new hands on the tiller in the shape of David Evans who has been appointed to the newly-created post of marine director for the river by Hampshire County Council.

A keen sailor, he was in the Royal Navy for 31 years, during a successful career which saw him spend time in command at sea, take on diplomatic postings in the US and north Africa and, most recently, as a commanding officer at HMS Dryad, a major training base near Portsmouth.

He has also sailed on the River Hamble in his spare time for the past 30 years.

Based in the harbour offices in Warsash, David's main challenge will be to balance the sometimes conflicting interests of the environment, commercial matters and recreational sailing.

One of his immediate priorities will be to get involved in plans to review and modernise the Harbour Authority, the body which makes policy decisions relating to the management of the harbour.

He said: "I know the river well and am looking forward to combining this local knowledge and my experience in the Navy to manage the harbour and contribute to the future of the river."