IF you're waiting for your ship to come in, don't worry - there's one just around the corner!

In fact more than 100 vessels will soon arrive at Preston Dock, ready for the town's Maritime Festival on September 11/12.

Preston Dock, thought to be the largest single dock basin in the country with 45 acres of water, is the regular venue for the festival - now in its fifth year.

Previously held in July, the event attracts around 200,000 people. But this year's promises to be extra special, with three main features.

It is the North West's celebration of the 175th anniversary of the RNLI, and all-weather and Atlantic lifeboats will be on display, with a range of land attractions set up by the organisations. And there will be more live music than in previous years, including sea shanties, Jazz on the Water and plenty of other sounds to suit everyone's musical tastes.

The culmination of the festival will be an illuminated boat parade, setting off at 9.30pm on Sunday.

The Royal Navy will give members of the public a chance to ride in their Shackleton helicopter simulator, and fun rides, line dancing and barbecues will be just a few of the on-land entertainments on offer.

A half-hourly shuttle bus to and from Preston Railway Station will provide easy access to the event.

For information about the festival, which supports the Preston and North Lancashire Blind Welfare Society, call organisers Partnership Projects Limited on 01772 556656.

Arrivals and departure days are the September 10 and 13, although many boat owners may want to arrive early or remain in the marina until winter.

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