SOUTH Coast entrepreneur Doug Elliott, founder of Ocean Village- based marine charter company Atlantic Marine, has just returned from a fact-finding visit to Hong Kong - and believes the idea of operating a Chinese junk in Solent waters could catch on.

In Hong Kong, he chartered a junk for four days. He thinks a traditional, oriental vessel, luxuriously refitted with modern conveniences, would be popular with clients -so much so that he is now considering the possibility of adding one to his fleet of powerful motor cruisers.

"I was very impressed with the standard of accommodation and the layout of the junk, which would lend itself well to charter work,'' he said.

"It would certainly be unique on the South Coast.''