A new £7m super-marina development in Derbyshire is on track to open on 6 September.

Work on flooding the 74-acre Mercia Marina site began on 7 July with the help of British Waterways. The process took just over two weeks to complete using millions of litres of water from the River Trent.

The new marina, has been created out of the existing Willington Lake, and will provide berths for nearly 600 boats, providing a link to the Trent and Mersey Canal.

The facility will be owned and operated by Madecorn Leisure LLP, who are based in Belper, Derbyshire.

Robert Neff, general manager of the Marina said that the next stage of the project will involve a £70,000 landscaping scheme involving grassing the banks and planting 200 trees. Work will also be carried out to finish off the islands and promontories.

Facilities at the new marina include electricity, fresh water, and wireless internet to all berths, while a 'great majority' will be enclosed in a fully fenced and gated area. The marina will also feature three amenity buildings with showers, toilets and laundry facilities, as well as a chandlery, shop and maintenance workshop.

A gastro pub will be added to the site in 2009, with 18 holiday log cabins also planned for future development.