CRUISE liners from all over the world could be docking in Poole Harbour - if plans to attract operators are realised.

During a recent trip to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, part-funded by UK Trade & Investment, Destination South West, the organisation charged with promoting Dorset ports sites and attractions to cruise companies around the world encouraged cruise lines in Florida to visit the port.

Economic development officer for Poole Peter Wheelhouse said: "I'm delighted with the level of interest generated in Poole. In part this follows from the Sea Trade Cruise Forum hosted in Poole last April.

"By attracting cruise liners, Poole can develop its international tourism which will be good for the area."

Last September the MS Vistamar called in at the port for a day. Its 230 German passengers sampled the delights of Poole and Bournemouth, with an optional trip to Stonehenge.

Port manager at Poole Harbour Commissioners Clive Lane said: "The port is dredged to 7.5 metres which means that small to medium cruise liners can visit.

"Larger ones can anchor offshore and then a tender boat would bring passengers ashore. The Hapag-Lloyd operated Hanseatic cruise liner is coming in June - with 400 to 500 passengers on board."

He said: "We look two years ahead and our goal is to have 20 turn around calls."

Such calls would involve a cruise liner docking early in the morning and then departing late at night.

"Passengers would board coaches and visit sites of historic interest around the area," Mr Lane added.

"We're looking at the European market. France and Germany are doing more cruising and this summer we want to visit all the cruise liners in Europe."

Such operators could include Cunard, Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and P&O.

Director of cruise operations for Destination South West Bob Harrison said: "Plymouth University worked out that the average passenger on a cruise liner spends £85 in the local economy.

"Therefore a ship carrying 800 passengers would generate £68,000.

"However, you can't forget the crew who typically spend more than the passengers!"

If Poole can attract 20 cruise liners all carrying 800 passengers then £1.36m would be spent in the local economy.

Mr Harrison added: "Poole isn't as deep as some ports and there are constraints in the size of cruise liners it can attract. There's a restriction on the length of cruise liners due to Brownsea Island. Ships have to turn near Sandbanks and the chain ferry."