THE largest commercial marine exhibition in Europe, seawork2004, will take place in Southampton's Western Docks next month.

Now in its seventh year, the event is expected to attract more than 350 exhibitors from all over the world, as well as 50 craft of all shapes and sizes, which will be moored at a specially constructed marina alongside

the Canary Island Fruit Terminal.

Many new vessels, ranging from RIBs to patrol boats and fishing and survey vessels to barges are due to make their debut at seawork2004.

Running alongside the exhibition will be a three-day conference covering subjects including waterfront maritime projects, commercial marine environment safety, pollution control and Ministry of Defence procurement requirements.

The event will run from Tuesday, June 22 to Thursday, June 24.