General Features

It's been an annual favourite since the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival launched seven years ago, but it seems this year's visit by the imposing tall ship Grand Turk could be its last.

The boat - a replica of an 18th century frigate - grew famous after its appearances in TV's Hornblower series, but her owners have now put her up for sale, with a serious potential buyer keen to take her away to sail on foreign seas.

If the sale goes through this time next year the Turkish-built ship could be ferrying holiday-makers around the Caribbean.

Skipper "saddened"

Skipper Ian MacDougal - who helped build the boat and lives on board full-time - is disappointed that visitors to the town festival may not be able to climb on board ever again after she sails out of the port this year.

"The sale of the Grand Turk will be a huge wrench and I will be sorry to see her go," he said.

"Furthermore, I will be saddened not to be present at the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival next year as it is a fantastic event, with a great atmosphere and the crew and I have thoroughly enjoyed the seven years attending the event with the Grand Turk," he added.

The Grand Turk is one of many boats which will be hoisting down its gangway on to the historic South Quay - where Nelson once landed.

Searcher vessle at sea

The Royal Navy will have two ships on show, while the Albatros will make its way from Wells and there will also be a chance to see traditional wherries and a motor torpedo boat.

Sea shanties

Traditional shanty songs will also ring out into the sea air as visitors crowd along the harbour wall for the weekend-long celebration.

At the start of the 20th century, Great Yarmouth was the world's leading herring port - with the harvest of silver darlings, as they were known, the bedrock of the town's economy.

Highlighting on heritage

The event gives people a chance to discover more about the seaside resort's history.

Local favourites the Sheringham Shantymen will resurrect seafarers' songs for their performance, with the Shellback Chorus, the Netherlands' West Altea Singers and the Grand Turk Pressgang Singers just some of those who are also due to appear.

An insight into our military past will also be given during an re-enactment by East Norfolk Militia, while the focus will switch from the quayside to the sea for displays by the Gorleston lifeboat and the East Anglian Newfoundland Dogs.

The maritime festival runs from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, 8 September and from 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, 9 September, 2007. Admission is free. For a full list of details go to www.maritime-festival.co.uk