THE consortium fighting to dry-dock a 250ft ocean liner on Watchet's East Quay received glowing praise this week in a £500 viability study.

The report by Exeter-based independent tourism consultant Nigel Buckler concluded that the Watchet Star project would become a major visitor magnet attracting a "significant percentage" of the annual 1.8 million day visitors to West Somerset.

Findings suggest that the ambitious plans would create jobs, kick-start the town's economy and encourage the British to holiday in this country instead of opting for cheaper package deals to foreign parts.

Mr Buckler also reported that the marina would act as a catalyst and draw tourists to Watchet, which would suggest the East Quay should be developed for leisure use.

Now, Peter Capper, co-ordinator of the proposals for the East Quay liner, will make sure every one of the 31 district councillors reads the report before the next cabinet meeting on May 8.

Solicitor Mr Capper paid £400 of the cost of Mr Buckler's independent study with Watchet Town Council contributing the remaining £100.

Mr Buckler said in his report: "The Watchet Star proposal is based both on an environmental-appropriate development and a plan for permanent job creation and economic concerns.

"The attraction and its accessibility to a wide range of visiting and residential customer groups makes it conceivable that visitor numbers could reach 100,000."

He added: "It is a bold aim, but the proposal implicitly attempts to create a new tourist destination on the coast of West Somerset.

"It will create employment and will bring a significant percentage of all visitors to West Somerset to a small harbour town of shops, pubs, places to eat, amusements and a distinctive town museum."

However, Mr Buckler did say that estimation for the number of staying visitors on the liner was a little high and the business plan needed to re-assess the marketing costs.

Plans for the feature-packed vessel, revealed at the end of last summer, include a swimming pool, gymnasium, shops, a cinema, cyber-café and luxury cabins on four decks.

Meanwhile, Mr Capper has answered a number of points that district council chief executive Tim Howes wanted clarified before taking the idea any further.

Last month, Mr Howes revealed that the authority had a get-out clause over plans by marina developers Dean and Dyball for the East Quay and there could be future "competition" for the land.

The district council, which owns the East Quay, listened to a presentation by Mr Capper and his team and now wants the consortium to come up with proper figures and business plans.

Four weeks ago, Dean and Dyball unveiled initial artist's impressions of their vision for the East Quay.

The designs by Yeovil architects ADP for 18 homes and redevelopment of the harbourmaster's office and creation of a 5,000 square foot workshop will not be submitted to the district council for planning permission until later this year.

By then, a petition against housing on the East Quay will have been handed in by the newly-formed Watchet Residents and Traders' Group.

Around a dozen Watchet residents have joined forces to form the group and launch the petition.

The group is in favour of the Watchet Star, but feels that any leisure facility at all is preferable to Dean and Dyball's housing on the East Quay.

Petition leaflets will be delivered to homes and businesses from today (Friday) and the completed forms will be handed to the district council.

The group is spearheaded by Bob Watts, of Gladstone Terrace, who hopes to rally the support of the town before the housing plans are presented to the council's planning committee later this year.

Mr Watts said: "We wanted to start the petition because we thought that the council would snowball the housing scheme through.

"A lot of people have looked at the drawings in the Council Chamber but not many have filled out the comments book, so a small part of the population is being heard.

"Although we are behind the Watchet Star, we want any leisure facility - houses on the East Quay will not benefit the town."