There is nothing too special about this development unless you have a knowledge of the car industry.

Mayflower, despite its historic name which conjures up the first voyage of puritans fleeing religious persecution to North America, is famous for making bus and car parts.

But now the company believes that it can construct a whole new business using the sea. Mayflower plans, as it will reveal to the world next month, to take advantage of the alternative energy boom, which has become a buzzword for governments everywhere.

US