New state-of-the-art vessels will be appearing on Southampton Water and the Solent as a result of a major £1m order placed by the south's leading boat operators.

Southampton-based Blue Funnel Cruises, established in the city for decades, has boosted the order book of a local constructor by

placing a contract for a new type of craft, due to enter service next year.

At the same time, sister company Solent and Wight Line Cruises has also ordered a similarly-designed vessel from the same builders, South Boats at East Cowes.

The two purpose-built catamarans, each capable of carrying around 180 passengers, will be used for private charters, evening party cruises and day trips around all the Solent ports.

One boat will be permanently based at Blue Funnel's headquarters in Southampton's Ocean Village, while the other will operate from the Isle of Wight.

Blue Funnel was taken over in January 2000 by Mark Rayment, together with his wife Jenny, who are directors and owners of the Solent and White Line.

The company is now managed

by their son, Lee, as a separate entity.

As part of the modernisation

programme of the companies' fleets, the familiar 16-year-old

vessel Leisure Scene has been sold and has now moved to the Thames in London.

The 52-ft-long boats, each with a service speed of 12 knots and powered by a 250 horsepower diesel engine, have been developed and planned by TT Boat Designs at Seaview, Isle of Wight, while the interiors have been created by Nicholson's Interiors of Southampton.

Mr Rayment said: "Both new craft are due to be ready by April or May of next year and are being constructed to the highest specifications demanded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

"Each will have bars and cooking facilities and operate throughout the year.''

Blue Funnel is one of Southamp-ton's best known names which can trace its roots back to the late 1950s, when it first began operating sightseeing cruises and trips around the docks from Southamp-ton Town Quay and the former Royal Pier.