THE PSP Southampton Boat Show has already seen more visitors through its gates than last year.

So far more than 50,000 people – four per cent more than last year – have come through Mayflower Park than during the same period in the 2013 show.

And among the thousands of visitors from across the globe are dozens of schools who were given free tickets to the event, including the Lewis School of English from Palmerston Road, Southampton, which has visited the show for at least five years.

English teacher Helen Barrs said: “We wanted to show them what Southampton has got to offer. A lot of them have come from maritime backgrounds so it’s an opportunity for them to see the English versions of their industry and it’s a good opportunity for them to practise their language skills and build job contacts.”

The group of 20 students looked around the show and even got a ride on a Royal Marines Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC).

The boats are usually used to take troops and equipment to and from Royal Navy Ships as well as being sent on their own missions, including patrolling rivers and inland river ways.

Sergeant Paul Mayfield, raiding instructor troop senior from the Royal Marines Tamar base in Plymouth, said: “We’re doing part of the Try-a-Boat sail. It’s the first year we’ve been able to get civilians on the craft.

“It’s always good to put the face of the Royal Marines out there and show people what we do.

“It’s been very popular. We’ve seen a lot of smiling faces when they get off.”

Visitors can book a ride on one of the ORCs between 9.30am and 6pm at stand A140 each day of the show.