A Midlands company is competing with the best of the boat industry from one of the most land-locked places in Britain.

Paul Burborough and his Blue C Marine team of eight, from Kidderminster, have shunned the glizt of mass produced boats, to make traditionally styled, hand-crafted vessels.

The firm has now launched its new model, the Trusty T23 - a 23-foot-long vessel which has been tested to withstand gale force winds, and waves of four metres.

Blue C Marine started in Oldington Lane in 1999, building a vessel called a Trusty 21, a 21-foot, 35-year-old, proven design, which had been aimed at the self-build market.

The T23 builds on the 21 but, according to the company, is quite different.

Mr Burborough said: "We have aimed the boat firmly at buyers who demand traditional looks and quality, but want something comfortable for extended periods on board, for entertaining and long-term economy."

* Midlands-based Pearl Motor Yachts has said that the worldwide launch of its latest model - the Pearl 50 - will be held at the Southampton Boat Show in September.