Messing around in boats

The Collins Stewart London Boat Show, London's largest annual event, runs for 10 days and is expected to attract 140,000 visitors.

Featuring over 500 exhibitors, the show takes 13 days to set up and another six to dismantle.

Vessels range in size from the 125m Royal Navy Destroyer, HMS Exeter, to the Reid Marine's Starfish - a 1.5m dinghy costing £545.

One new attraction at the show is a Kite Surf simulator, while a 200-year-old oyster fishing smack Boadicea is the oldest working UK boat being exhibited at the classic boat feature stand.

Other activities taking place include an ocean racing simulator, sail hoisting competition, yacht racing in Royal Victoria Dock and anchoring classes. There will also be talks by working coastguards and watersports stars such as Olympic gold medal-winning rower Steve Trapmore.

The Cutty Sark Trust will be working on selected artefacts from the famous tea clipper which was badly damaged by fire in May. Presentations on big screens will provide updates on the Cutty Sark conservation project's progress.

HRH Princess Royal will visit the show on Wednesday 16 January.

TICKET OFFER

This is London is offering readers a £3 discount on tickets. The offer is only available by calling the hotline number on 0870 060 0246 or logging onto www.londonboatshow.com and quoting This is London'. Tickets are valid from 12th-20th January, with two children aged 15 and under getting in free with a paying adult.