UPDATED plans to build a 135-boat marina on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal will go on show tonight.

Developers want to flood eight acres of farmland and create an idyllic stop-off for narrow boats en route to Liverpool.

They said it could boost the local economy by more than £700,000.

The £2m marina will be on the west side of the canal just off Bells Lane, between Lydiate and Maghull.

John Keogh, from the Altside Business Village Partnership, which is helping spearhead the project, said: “It’s an ideal place if you want to visit Liverpool but stay in a rural setting.

“Because they opened the new canal link, there’s a lot more traffic going through.

“Our hope is that people who stay there will pump money into the local economy.”

In recent years, Lydiate has seen shops and pubs close, as well as losing two post offices.

The marina will be the last stop-off before the city, which recently saw 22 new pontoons installed in Salthouse Dock.

Mr Keogh added: “As we’re into helping farmers diversify, we thought this was a good way of re-using the land.”

An outline planning application was lodged with Sefton Council two weeks ago and locals are still being consulted on what they make of the scheme.

Some Lydiate residents have voiced concern over the potential for more traffic around the site.

There are also fears about how the utility block – which will house toilets and washing facilities – will look.