THE powerboats, champagne and celebrities can mean only one thing - it's Southampton Boat Show time again.

Organisers are busy putting the finishing touches to this year's extravaganza, which runs from September 10 to 19.

With 20 per cent more exhibition space than last year, next month's event will cover a massive 29.6 acres - the equivalent of 17 football pitches.

Visitors are promised an action-packed festival of racing, with a brand new area - Solent Park - hosting the Honda Formula four-stroke racing finals.

Thrill-seekers will also be able to experience the adrenalin rush first hand at the Try A Honda powerboat attraction once the finals have finished.

The show will have its usual purpose-built marina, with one and a quarter miles of pontoons and more than 900 boats, ranging from a historic Thames sailing barge to Waterspace's Optimum 60 designed for contemporary river living.

It is the showcase for marine-related industries, which employ about 10,000 people and are worth £665m a year to the south.

Highlights at this year's event include the naval vessel HMS Newcastle, a Type-42 destroyer forming part of the backbone of the Royal Navy's anti-air capability.

Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the ship's history, meet the crew and learn about the inner workings of a Navy ship.

Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur and her 75ft B&Q trimaran will be special guests on September 11 and 12, fresh from their solo transatlantic record attempt.

Australian Nick Moloney, skipper of the Skandia Multi Manager campaign, will also be at the show with his Open 60 Skandia.

Celebrity chef Ross Burden will be cooking up a storm in his restaurant, The Waterfront, or visitors can relax in the sunshine at a Guinness or champagne bar. Underwater 3D cameras will enable visitors to meet weird and wonderful sea creatures, and anyone who has ever fancied learning to dive can grab a wetsuit and have a go in the dedicated try-a-dive area.

This year'sSouthampton Boat Show charity dinner will be held on September 17 in aid of Royal Yachting Association's Sailability fund, which gives disabled people the chance to go sailing.

To book boat show tickets in advance call 0870 060 0246. Daily Echo readers can claim £2 off the normal day price by mentioning the Daily Echo.