MORE than 7,000 people are expected at Beale Park this weekend for one of the country"s biggest boat shows.

Around 300 boats will be on display at the wildlife park"s seven acre lake including a handmade replica of the James Caird, the life boat of Irish explorer Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, which sailed 800 nautical miles from the South Shetland Islands to South Georgia in 1916. Other attractions include Garth, one of only four remaining RASC Fast Patrol Boats built especially for D-Day, a series of talks, a classic car display, boat building demonstrations, canoe trips with Pangbourne"s Adventure Dolphin, a craft tent, live music and real ale and food stalls.

Event organiser Gillie Jackson said: 'We have branched out from a conventional boat show to offer something for the whole family. It is going to be a really super show and a wonderful day.'

Nat Wilson, from the International Boatbuilding Training College in Suffolk, who along with his students will be continuing the building of the James Caird replica, said: 'People love live demonstrations and with a boat like this that has such a fascinating history, we expect to get a lot of attention.'

The Thames Boat Show started in Greenwich nine years ago but for the last six years had been held at Beale Park.

The show will take place tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 10am-5pm. Tickets are available on the day and cost £7 for adults, £2 for children (under 16s), free for under 2s, and £15 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).