VISITORS to the PSP Southampton Boat Show have had an insight into traditional boat building skills.

Boat builders from across the country have been sawing, carving and sanding throughout the show to demonstrate their craft.

Among them is Ian Richardson, who is leading a team building a wooden boat, known as a Stromness Flattie, throughout the course of the nine-day show.

The grandfather-of-13 has been building for almost half a century, starting his apprenticeship in 1966 aged 18.

He has travelled to the PSP Southampton Boat Show from Orkney to demonstrate his skills for 40 years and while he is here he joins other members of the Wooden Boat Builders’ Association for their annual meeting.

Dad-of-four Ian, 66, said: “We’re demonstrating the art of boat building to the general public. I think people get very interested and they like to see that the skills aren’t being lost.

“Every time we make a noise the crowd suddenly arrives.

“It’s important to inspire youngsters because they’re the future.”