Rumours are surrounding giant UK brokerage Peters Opal, the agents for Bavaria and Legend yachts. Agencies dealing with them are being told they will not be paid for works carried out and it is believed they have pulled out of the Southampton Boat Show.

PO Chairman Brian Peters was unobtainable today. He is also President of the British Marine Federation.

The huge concern with offices all over the UK and in many parts of Europe were fielding calls via an answerphone in Chichester.