A SALISBURY company is on the verge of launching a revolutionary seaplane on to the world market.

Designed by a team of experts headed by chief designer and managing director James Labouchere, the Centaur seaplane is set to bridge the gap between aviation and marine transport, removing the need for airfields and, because of its unique design, able to use the smallest of marinas.

By the end of this month, Mr Labouchere (41) and his team at Old Sarum - and across the Atlantic in America - hope to win the backing of the City by joining the junior Alternative Investment Market.

If the flotation raises the hoped-for £2.5m, the prototype Centaur could be taking off on its maiden flight within 12 months.

Mr Labouchere, who lives in Stratford-sub-Castle, has been at the forefront of revolutionary design for many years, building his career designing hulls for ferries and racing yachts.

In 2003, his Windjet land yacht broke a speed record, reaching 113mph on ice.

His expertise has given the Centaur four exceptional advantages over conventional seaplanes and launches the floatplane into the 21st Century.

Current seaplanes use aluminium and their designs are still in the 1930s and 40s. The Centaur uses a plastic composition, making it resistant to corrosion from salt water.

Its new patented hull design does not create a bow wave, enabling it to take off and land even in very rough conditions.

The Centaur has folding wings, giving it access to five times as many coastal facilities as any other seaplane.

Its performance is superior to any previous seaplane.

Mr Labouchere told the Journal: "The plane is half-built, with the most difficult parts already completed.

"There are more active seaplanes than active civil helicopters and, with about 6,800 light seaplanes in use worldwide, there is a market.

"The Centaur is at the cutting edge of development. Our priority market is the commercial operator."

Mr Labouchere said that airfields often need to be booked well in advance and many are some distance from city centres.

A Centaur could fly direct from the heart of Westminster to Rotterdam.

With a price tag of about £310,000, the Centaur was designed in the company's European and UK headquarters, Warrior Aero-Marine Ltd, which has been based at Portway, Old Sarum, for the past three years.