A stretch of beach will be lost to make way for the new marina

An exhibition of �300m plans to turn the former Hoverport at the Western Docks into a second ferry terminal is being held in Dover Town Hall.

The board wants to double the amount of freight passing through the port.

"The government needs to catch up with what we are doing," said chief executive Bob Goldfield.

"It is unfortunate the government doesn't have a five-year plan, never mind a 30-year plan."

Giant ferries

The port announced last year its plan to build four new berths able to accommodate the next generation of giant cross-Channel ferries as well as ocean-going liners.

It also plans to revamp and expand the marina and add shops but this will mean the loss of a stretch of beach.

The exhibition, which closes at 1800 GMT on Thursday, will be followed by a public meeting which begins a round of public consultation.

"People will see a lot more detail in terms of what the Western Docks will look like once the redevelopment has happened," said Mr Goldfield.

"The main reason for the exhibition is to show them the redevelopment possibilities the development will give to Dover."

He said it would kick-start the economic regeneration of the town and work alongside the district council's own 30-year plan.

The second terminal would increase the port's capacity to handle the volume of lorries passing through the town.

"The roads will always be busy but the port will be able to handle many more trucks at a time and take them off the roads."

The scheme, which has yet to win planning permission, is expected to create 2,600 jobs at the docks, as well as employing construction workers.