PLANS for Liverpool’s first major international boat show will be officially unveiled today.

Organisers claim the Liverpool Boat Show could become one of the most important events of its kind in Europe.

The inaugural show is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors when it is held at the Albert Dock in spring, 2011.

More than 130 boating industry leaders will meet at the city’s Maritime Museum today to hear the plans for the festival.

The 10-day event, from April 29 to May 8, is expected to inject millions of pounds into the city’s economy with luxurious yachts, motorboats, dinghies, water skis and the latest nautical equipment all expected to be on public display.

Round-the-world yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, chair of the organising committee, said: “I had the pleasure of experiencing Liverpool’s love of yachts and all things connected to the sea through my association with the Round the World yacht race, Tall Ships and the Year of the Sea.

“The boat show will be staged in the very heart of Liverpool, in the magnificent surroundings of the Albert, Salthouse and Canning Docks, the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in Britain – and on one of the most architecturally stunning waterfronts in the world.

“We will use this unique historical setting to create a boat show unlike any other, with the potential to become one of the most important and spectacular events of its kind in Europe.”

The festival has support from agencies including the city council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Mersey Partnership and Liverpool Vision.

A massive injection of European Regional Development Fund cash will also help its organisers, Marine Industry Events.