Work has begun on the £7m Mercia Marina, expected to be the UK’s largest canal-based harbour.

Due to open this September, the 585-berth marina is being created at Willington Lake on the Trent and Mersey canal, between Findern and Willington village.

The site will feature a chandlery and fuelling quay, along with 18 holiday log cabins surrounded by 74 acres of countryside.

South Derbyshire District Council has also given planning permission for a gastro pub which will open on the site in 2009.

Madecorn Leisure, the company behind the scheme says the marina is already receiving interest from narrowboat users from home and abroad.

The East Midlands Development Agency has agreed to contribute £500,000 to the project as part of its Waterway Regeneration Fund which launched in summer 2007.

Principal funding is also being supplied by the Royal Bank of Scotland.