A recruiting drive is under way to find apprentices and skilled craftsmen keen to join Britain's boating and yachting industry centred in the south.

This comes as one of the industry's main showcase events, the annual London Boat Show, prepares to welcome thousands of visitors next month.

With more and more youngsters being attracted to sectors such as information technology and fully trained skilled craftsmen apparently in short supply the industry is anxious to boost employee numbers in traditional boat building and shipwright trades.

The British Marine Industries Federation has held a series of careers events around the UK aimed at raising the profile of the industry among young people and careers officers.

The events also provided a platform for those interested in a career in the industry to meet up with local employers.

Events were held in Plymouth, Falmouth, Norwich and Southampton and gave a total of 50 employers the opportunity of meeting, on an informal basis, with more than 200 young people who were interested in the marine industry.

The London Boat Show, a vital preseason shop window on the rapidly growing leisure boating and yachting market lowers the gangplank to visitors from Thursday, January 3 to Sunday, January 13 at Earls Court.

More than 800 boats of all shapes from £300 dinghies right up to super-cruisers worth millions will be on show at the 48th annual exhibition.

As always at the London Boat Show there will be a number of craft afloat at a specially constructed pool.

At least 170,000 people are expected at the show which has attracted more than 600 exhibitors including many from Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

Reduced price advance tickets are now on sale through the ticket hotline at £9.50 (£11 on the door).

A limited number of tickets are also available for the exclusive Preview Day on January 3 costing £18. Preview tickets are only available in advance.

To book tickets, call the advance ticket hotline on 0115 912 9111 or book online through www.bigblue.org.uk