As an Inland Waterways Association (IWA) vice president and chairman of Thames Boating Trade Association (TBTA), Coburn brings a vast amount of experience and local knowledge to his new role.

IWA's National Waterways Festival and Inland Boat Show has run every year for 52 years and the organising team says it is already well on the way towards ensuring that this year's festival (from 22nd - 25th August) at Beale Park will be bigger and better than ever.

This year the show - just eight miles up the River Thames from Reading - already has firm bookings from over 120 exhibitors with very many more promised.

And with six months still to go, there has also been much interest shown by the public, with 450 boats already committed to attend. John Fletcher, IWA's national chairman, said: "This promises to be an excellent year for both trade and visitor numbers."

Many new attractions are planned for 2003, including marine engine maintenance courses, a farmers' market, cookery demonstrations and craft workshops.