WHAT a difference a year makes.

The sun shone on the close of the 2014 PSP Southampton Boat Show - a far cry from the 2013 event which endured one of the wettest weeks of the year.

And it was as popular as ever with more than 110,000 visitors coming to the city to see the wide variety of nautical-themed attractions at the boating extravaganza.

Murray Ellis, managing director of National Boat Shows, said: “It's been a fabulous 10 days at the 2014 PSP Southampton Boat Show.

“More than 112,000 people enjoyed our boating festival, got out on the water, took a trip on the Boat Show Eye and bought everything from canoes to multi million pound yachts.

“The weather has been glorious and spirits have been high.”

A spokesman for the show added: “We are very happy with how the event has gone and we have certainly seen a lot of happy faces. We have also seen a lot more positivity and enthusiasm in the market given the recession.”

There were plenty of famous faces as usual, with Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman and The One Show presenter Matt Baker making appearances on the opening day.

Saints players Jack Cork and Ryan Bertrand and Formula 1 pundit Eddie Jordan were also among the celebrities making an appearance at the marquee event.

But humans were not the only celebrities on show with some famous boats in port.

They included the Tall Ship Phoenix which has featured in a number of films and television shows including Clash of the Titans, Cloud Atlas, Alice in Wonderland and Dr Who.

Another star appearance came from the HMS Severn, one of the Royal Navy's Fishery Protection Squad, who gave visitors the chance to feel what it is like to go on a patrol.

And there was plenty on offer for landlubbers too with Active Nation providing some challenging exercises to encourage people to have fun while keeping fit.