Already the city has won a leg of the Volvo Ocean Round the World Race and was the home of last year's Global Challenge round the world race, both previously based in Southampton.

Now Portsmouth wants to use these high-profile marine links to muscle in on the lucrative boat show market.

And the show will take place just over a week after the Volvo Ocean race sets sail from Gunwharf on its eighth leg.

Although much smaller than established boat shows such as Southampton, the organisers, County Exhibitions - which runs the Lowestoft Boat show - believe it has the potential to grow dramatically in size within two years.