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 ten 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 also put in an appearance. Other attractions included the tall ship Phoenix, which has featured in films and TV shows including Dr Who.