Businesses involved in East Anglia's important marine sector hailed the economic value of the 'boat show on our doorstep'.

Regional boat builders and Broads hire boat firms had a strong presence at Saturday's Horning Boat Show and they were joined by a host of marine product companies.

As thousands of visitors browsed more than 100 trade stalls around the Broads village, strong sales leads and at least one high-value boat sale were clinched in the opening hours.

Matthew Stone, group sales manager for Brundall-based Norfolk Boat Sales, said: 'A customer from Bedfordshire will be buying a £130,000 Sealine from us after seeing it here today.

'There has also been strong interest in the Heritage 286 inland waterway cruiser we have had on show. This is a brilliant local showcase right on our doorstep, good for PR and meeting local people.'

Recent sales of the company's Croatian brand Elan cruisers had been so strong they did not have one to bring to Horning, he added.

'We'll have one arriving on Friday to take to next weekend's Poole boat show,' he said.

Haines Marine of Catfield shared a stand with their agent and principal show sponsor Norfolk Yacht Agency and director Justin Haines described the show as an 'absolute triumph'.

Their flagship Haines 400 and 32 Sedan on display had generated a number of sales leads but the primary success of the show was raising the profile of the industry, he said.

'It is about meeting new faces and there are lots of local people here,' he said.

Sharing Mr Haines' enthusiasm, Chris Ricks, sales executive for Brundall-based Broom Boats, said there had been a lot of interest in the Broom HT 30 coupe and brokerage boats they had on display.

Waterside Marine, the boat sales arm of Potter Heigham-based Herbert Woods, turned the show into a celebration of their 2,000th boat sale since 2003 with John Whitaker, their very first customer, on hand to cut a special cake.

Director John Butler said he was confident of swiftly advancing that total as a result of the show.

He said: 'We made four appointments for river trials today and, following river trials, two people have been discussing methods of payment with us.'

The show had also attracted a large number of previous customers who were now thinking about trading in their boats for new ones, he added.

Mr Butler said: 'The market is buoyant. Last month I sold a £150,000 Haines boat to a customer on the Thames and we are very successful at selling ex-hire craft - we have sold 18 for Herbert Woods over the past 18 months.'

Stephen Pitkethly, director of Dads Boats, a Ludham firm marketing an innovative style of pedal boat, said they received 'huge interest' at the show which had been a good opportunity to market their 'try it' day at Swallowtail Boatyard, Ludham, from 10am on May 24.

He said he would be delivering his first three orders for the £7,500 boat later this month.

Hire boat firms Norfolk Broads Direct, of Wroxham, and Richardsons, based in Stalham, both reported interest from local people in Broads holidays.

Clive Richardson said: 'We have had more than 100 inquiries about holidays and there has been a lot of interest in our Moonfleet Recovery Service for boat owners.'