STRIKING four-metre tall versions of The Kelpies and cooking demonstrations from college students are among the attractions at Scotland's Boat Show 2018 this weekend.

The annual free event, now in its 32nd year, launches at Inverkip's Kip Marina tomorrow and runs until Sunday.

It promises to be the biggest yet with a new layout, expanded exhibition areas and a raft of extra things to see and do.

Among the additions for the 2018 show are the 13ft high models, known as maquettes, of the world-famous Kelpies.

They arrived at the marina on Monday - making their first appearance in Inverclyde - having been on display in places like New York.

The maquettes are one-tenth of the size of their older brothers in Falkirk and were designed by renowned artist, Andy Scott, the man who designed Greenock's Ginger the Horse and the Oak Tree Nymph Egeria along with the Endeavour ship's bow sculpture in Port Glasgow.

Their appearance is also a nod to Inverclyde icon James Watt, who first used the term 'horsepower' as the name for measuring power.

Gavin McDonagh, managing director of Kip Marina, said: "The maquettes are another big attraction for the boat show and add to the already exciting programme of events."

Over the course of the weekend, 14 young chefs from the West College Scotland campus in Greenock will be putting their catering skills to the test in a series of cooking demonstrations in the Food & Drink Pavilion, sponsored by WCS.

Boat show organiser Kevin Blamire said: "We've had a series of celebrity chefs in the past but because this is the Year of Young People we thought it was appropriate to support local talent and we are delighted to have student chefs, led by senior lecturer David Smith, doing a series of food demonstrations using nothing but fresh, Scottish, and locally-sourced where possible, ingredients.

"It's great to see the future talent involved and visitors could even see the next Gordon Ramsay.

"Admission to the show, and the demos, is free and it's thanks to sponsors like West College Scotland, which is a valuable partner of the show and helps make it free entry each year."

The show runs from 10am to 6pm each day.

Entry is free and car parking costs £5 per vehicle.

For the full programme of events visit www.scotlandsboatshow.co.uk or call 521485.