A HAMPSHIRE firm is celebrating a bumper year at the PSP Southampton Boat Show as thousands of people have flooded into Mayflower Park.

Swanwick-based marine technician Landau UK smashed its takings from last year within the first seven days of the show and could bring up to £1.6m into the business over the full course of the event.

The company has also announced that it has been awarded a contract to carry out maintenance and repair work to military boats which will result in it taking on up to 19 new engineers and office staff.

Bosses are also looking to take on extra premises at Endeavour Quay in Gosport, which has deeper runnings to enable the firm to work on larger boats.

It comes after the company refitted the tall ship Earl of Pembroke, which is about to appear in movie Alice Through the Looking Glass starring Hollywood star Johnny Depp.

The team fitted the ship with a 240-volt system, lighting and a new navigation kit before it was whisked away for filming.

The ship, a wooden barque, has already been featured in films including Treasure Island and Alice in Wonderland.

Landau UK’s managing director Ben Metcalfe said: “The future is looking bright. The military contract will allow us to expand and move forward, allowing us to plan our growth strategies.

“The deal will increase Landau as a business by a significant percentage.

“We’ve got a new location at the Boat Show this year and it has been excellent.

“We have found the show much more positive than last year. We met last year’s figures by day seven of the show.

“It’s a show we will continue to do. It’s very positive for the marine industry and it’s good for the local area.”