POOLE'S £30 million Dolphin Quays has been named one of the best marina developments in the world - 18 months before it is due for completion.

Dolphin Quays was one of just three developments in the world to scoop a Mercedes-Benz International Property Award in the Best Marina Development category.

The 105-apartment luxury development at Poole Quay won highly commended status, along with Portmaso in Malta.

Both were beaten only by Port St Charles in Barbados.

The awards were presented at Ascot by Shadow Transport Minister Eric Pickles.

Dolphin Quays developer Orb Estates had been nominated by Hamptons Inter-national which is marketing the luxury flats.

Orb Estates director Peter Mills said: "Dolphin Quays is one of the three best marina developments in the world.

"Dorset is on the international stage. We are not just talking about best in the UK, we are competing with the world," added Mr Mills, chairman of Orb subsidiary Poole Developments.

Hamptons International director Godfrey Winterson said Dolphin Quays was "such an innovation for Poole - taking Chelsea to the South coast.

"The judges obviously appreciated the imagination to have given it a top award," he added.

Forty-four awards were presented at the seventh event of its kind. Judges had received more than 350 entries from 14 countries including the USA, South Africa, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the UK.

Apartments at Dolphin Quays range from £175,000 to £1.25 million.

So far contracts have been exchanged on 70 per cent of the flats. The project is due to be completed in mid-2003.