ENTHUSIASTS have been flying into Hampshire to pay tribute to a great British invention.

Thousands of people spent the bank holiday weekend poring over 30 hovercraft at the Hovershow 2002 exhibition in Lee-on-the-Solent.

The show, put together by the Hovercraft Museum Trust, features examples of all ages including two mammoth Hoverspeed craft, only taken off the Dover-Calais run two years ago.

There are machines of varying sizes including a vintage 1965 model and one built only last year.

The hovercraft has strong links with the south as it was invented by Isle of Wight visionary Sir Christopher Cockerell.

Event organiser Brian Russell said: "We tell the history of hovercraft and their future development. They are amazing machines - the first truly amphibious vehicle that can travel equally well over ice, water and land."

Trevor Bayliss, inventor of the clockwork radio, opened the event at HMS Daedalus on Saturday. He officially named a new, life-saving hovercraft designed for mud flat rescues.

The Clockwork Orange will be based at Lee-on-the-Solent and operated by members of the Association of Search and Rescue Hovercraft.

Mr Russell said: "It has taken £20,000 and three years to raise the money for the Clockwork Orange. We achieved that entirely through volunteers fundraising and the support of local people."

As well as viewing the impressive amphibious craft visitors enjoyed 15-minute hovercraft trips around Solent estuary.

* The event continues until 5pm today. Adult tickets for the event cost £6, children £3 and concessions £4, families £15.