SOUTHAMPTON'S second Ideal Homes Exhibition got off to flying start yesterday with thousands of visitors flocking to the first day of an action-packed show.

Organisers of the Daily Echo sponsored event were bowled over by the number of visitors keen to get an early taste of the ideas and products on offer at the Guildhall.

Everything from new houses to all that you might need to fill them including whirlpools, beds, and furnishings are on show.

And even at this early stage event, the organisers, Cheltenham-based Premier Exhibitions, are talking of extending the size of the four-day show when it returns next year.

Show manager John Bowle said: "It's hoped 15,000 people will visit the exhibition over the four days. And the start has been fantastic with many more people arriving than we could have hoped for.

"It's the premier event of its kind in the area and we were heavily over-subscribed this year. If it carries on like this we will be looking to extend the event again for the year 2000 as far as possible.

"We already have a list of 26 firms wishing for more space but we have to work with the size of the venue, and this is the best in Southampton for an event of this size."

And the popularity of the show was easily seen. At the more exotic end of the range, stands like Aqua Designs were attracting much attention.

AD produces custom-made aquariums for the likes of Harrod's and its coffee table fish tank really turned heads.

AD's Marcus Jones said: "They're becoming more popular all the time. Francis Ford Coppola has one of our aquariums as does Nigel Lawson. Recently we installed them in the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London."

Next door another innovative offer which could work in a nightclub, the table lamps which double as high quality stereo speakers, proved one of the star attractions. Managing director Cain Stammerslee, of Hampshire-based-RTD Acoustics which makes the lamp/speakers, said: "Shows like this are important.

"Unless we can demonstrate the product so people can hear how good the speakers are then they don't believe us."

For the dinner pary set who may already have an ideal home, Dartmouth Dips will be of a real interest.

Its range of 12 different natural dip packets, concoctions of additive free herbs and spices which can be added to mayonnaise or fromage frais to make ready-made dips for crisps and crudites, were attracting crowds.

And their explosive range of mulled wines and ciders were warming up visitors to the stand.

Nearby one of the true stars of the exhibition was the Aerolatte cappuccino maker invented by London-couple Gary and Josie Lane.

The pair, who came up with the blender-like gadget after getting tired of working their own home cappuccino maker, were doing a brisk trade.

The £15 battery-operated device, which whisks milk to that cappuccino firmness, was being lapped up by visitors.

"If you saw it on the shelf in the shops you wouldn't believe it works, that's why we're here to show people," said Gary.

Elsewhere stalls selling everything from adjustable beds to carpets, kitchens, windows, ladders, clothes, and cutlery were busy.

John Bowle said: "We have such a wide variety that there really is something here for everyone, young or old.

"Even if people already have their Ideal Home there's always room for ideas here."

Entry to the show, which runs until Sunday, is £2 for adults, £1 for OAPs. Kids U-14 get in free. Alternatively see elsewhere in the Daily Echo today and every day until Saturday for your 2 for 1 entry tokens.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.