A FLEET of yachts and other craft will sail to Mousehole in July to celebrate its maritime history.

The biannual Sea, Salts and Sail festival takes place around the picturesque harbour over the weekend of July 9 and 11.

This year the village will host some Isles of Scilly and Bristol Pilot Cutters as well as boats from Richmond Boat Yard and Cotswold Flaxland to further augment its nautical past. This will be marked by a race from St Mary's to Mousehole to mark the beginning of the weekend.

Over the three days the tiny harbour and village is brimming with other activity as well. Regular contributors are the local Cornish Lugger Associations, Beer Luggers from Devon, gigs, Falmouth working boats, male voice choirs, bands, artists, writers, cooks and also the charms of the Kipper Man.

Festival secretary Sylvia Pezzack said: "Even a force nine south-easterly one year did not dampen the spirits of this hardy community, soldiering on to cook food, sing songs and dance despite the ocean spray lashing the marquee."

The local school is also involved with the children preparing a project. They will be writing and performing a play about what it was like to be a crew member onboard a lugger at the age of ten in the 19th century.

The history of the fishing industry can also be seen through a collection of photographs exhibited in the Sunday School in conjunction with a tour around the actual pilchard cellars and net lofts.

Mrs Pezzack said: "You can wander along the ancient harbour wall, smelling the sea, viewing the boats, hearing a traditional air float across the evening tide with a soused mackerel in one hand and a clutch of history in the other."

Organisers welcome new and interesting stalls, traditional boats to join the celebration and need volunteers to lend a hand during the weekend. Anyone able to help should call the secretary on 01736 731655.