POOLE’S luxury boat builder Sunseeker has announced that its order book for 2016 is already up 70 per cent year-on-year.

The figure, calculated by turnover, was revealed as the company celebrated what it said was a successful 2015 Cannes Yachting Festival.

It said it could announce “encouraging sales figures and a very healthy order book”.

The festival saw Sunseeker displaying eight models and mark the delivery of its 100th luxury yacht in the 100ft-plus “superyacht” category.

Sean Robertson, sales director at Sunseeker, said: “Cannes Yachting Festival is always a real highlight of the boating calendar for us and we were delighted to be celebrating the delivery of 100 luxury yachts over 100 feet at this show.

“We are also pleased to announce encouraging sales figures and a very healthy order book, which reflects strong customer demand for our range of yachts, including three new models due for launch in early 2016.”

Sunseeker said its order book for large models – 90ft and above – was up 143 per cent year-on-year, reflecting demand for the new 131 Yacht, 116 Yacht and 95 Yacht models due for launch in early 2016.

It said Asia Pacific region orders were currently up 161 per cent year-on-year, with more coming in every week.

North America orders were up 53 per cent year-on-year, with rising levels of new orders and enquiries.

Sunseeker’s Predator 57 made its show debut this year and visitors were able to see this and other models in the range, including the Manhattan 55, the 115 Sport Yacht and the 86 Yacht.

Sunseeker was formed as Poole Power Boats in 1969, by brothers Robert and John Braithwaite.

It employs around 2,000 people at its manufacturing bases in Poole and Portland.

The Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group acquired a majority stake in the business in 2013.

Sunseeker is currently exhibiting at the Southampton Boat Show, which runs until Sunday.