BUSINESSMAN Keith Reeve has added an unusual new venture to his portfolio with the purchase of a Dutch day boat at Burton Waters.

Mr Reeve already owns the popular Yots Bistro at Burton Waters and the Talking Heads salon in Lincoln.

Now he has acquired the Bellus 750 open-top, day boat in order to provide marina property developer Beal Homes with boat tours of Burton Waters for prospective home-buyers.

Both a qualified skipper and a Burton Waters home-owner, Keith was keen to take on the new challenge when Beal Homes approached him.

He said: "My partner, Diane, and I owned a boat a few years ago and both gained our skipper's licences. When the chance to buy this boat came up, I thought showing house- hunters around Burton Waters would be a pleasurable way to spend a few hours."

Rick Costall, Beal Homes' land director, said: "Keith's boating skills and excellent first-hand knowledge of life at Burton Waters will be very valuable in showing our prospective buyers around the marina. We are delighted he is providing this service."

Mr Reeve said: "Now that we have the boat, I'm also looking forward to offering Yots Bistro diners the option of a pick-up from the centre of Lincoln and a leisurely boat trip along the Fossdyke Canal to The Landings for a meal.

"Arriving by boat will certainly add to the occasion for our diners and the trip promises to be especially enjoyable on summer evenings."

Beal Homes is building a variety of properties at Burton Waters, including waterside apartments and houses.

The boat tour will be available to house-hunters on Saturdays and Sundays and can be arranged by calling Beal Homes on freephone 0800 6121216 or by visiting Beal's marketing suite, which is open daily, from10am to 5pm, at The Landings, Burton Waters, just off the A57 Lincoln to Newark road.