A North Yorkshire landmark tourist attraction is on the market for the first time in its 100-year history.

Knaresborough's Waterside boathouse, caf and mooring rights, along with its 50 boats, are all up for sale as owners Don and Edna Horner plan to retire after years of presiding over an institution.

Boating on the River Nidd at Knaresborough has been a long tradition, captured down the years on countless picture postcards, the idyllic scene helping to make the tourist and market town famous.

The boathouse caf, which includes a riverside terrace and seating for 140 people, is on the market along with a nearby four-storey six-bedroomed Victorian detached house for offers in excess of £350,000.

Mooring rights and the boat hire business, which trades under the name Blenkhorns, is being sold for around £70,000. Mooring rights and the boating hire business is being sold separately.

A spokesman for the agents Stutt & Parker, in Harrogate, said: "The familiar sight of boats on the River Nidd has been part of the heritage of this picturesque corner of Knaresborough for years and is certainly one of the town's major tourist attractions."

He said the sale offered excellent potential for a new owner to capitalise on the tourist and growing leisure market with particular scope for more mainstream restaurant use.

This is the third major Knaresborough tourist attraction to come on the market in recent months.

Mother Shipton's Cave on the opposite banks of the river, is about to be bought by Doncaster-based entrepreneur Adrian Sayers. Mr Sayers has already outlined plans to tempt more tourists to the cave, said to be the birthplace of the prophet Mother Shipton.

And last year Knaresborough's House in the rock was bought by Pateley Bridge antique dealer Andre Gora. Although the house will not normally be open to the public, Mr Gora said he would open it up for public viewing on specific dates.

Updated: 11:15 Tuesday, April 10, 2001