MINEHEAD will be awash with all things nautical next Saturday (July 20) when the town hosts a swashbuckling new harbour festival for landlubbers, seafarers and those who just fancy a taste of life on the ocean wave.

The inaugural event will have a pirate theme and include live bands, arts and crafts, a produce market and book signings.

Local boats will be offering trips around the bay and the RNLI is planning an open day, including a lifeboat launch.

A barbecue, tall ship sailings, sea shanties and storytelling will also be part of the programme.

Events will kick off the night before, with an adults fancy dress pirates party and live music in The Quay Inn from 8pm.

The main festival will start on the Saturday with a blessing by the Rev Penny Dobbin at 11am, followed by some rousing sea shanties to get visitors in a suitably nautical mood.

Children are being invited to a special harbourside pirate party from 12 noon to 3pm, with prizes up for grabs for the best boys' and girls' fancy dress outfit.

There will be pirate-themed games and workshops with all money raised donated to the Children's Hospice South West.

To take part, all the budding young pirates have to do is take along a very important piece of booty - a special free-entry wristband which is only available from the town's visitor information centre.

Organisers are keen for places to be booked in advance to make sure there is enough loot available to keep even the most demanding of young pirates happy!

Meanwhile, those too old for the party will be able to browse a variety of stalls selling local arts and crafts and produce.

There will also be storytellers and a prize-laden town treasure trail, with entry forms available from the visitor information centre.

In the evening, the focus will move to Minehead Lifeboat Station as festival-goers enjoy a barbecue and live music from jazz band the Darktown Strutters from 7pm to 11pm.

The highlight for many will be a visit from the tall ship Irene of Bridgwater, including a symbolic trading exchange of goods between Minehead and Barry in South Wales.

A handful of sailors have also been given the chance to hop aboard the historic vessel and sail her across the Bristol Channel, staying overnight and returning the following morning.

Organisers had originally planned just one trip but such was the demand for the 12 places, a second sailing and overnight stay has been organised, leaving Minehead at 5pm on Saturday and returning on Sunday.

Just three places are left on the second trip at a cost of £100 each.

Festival organiser, Minehead's visioning manager Stephen Hooper, said anyone could apply to be part of the crew as no previous experience was necessary.

"She will be quite a spectacle as she sails in and out of Minehead during the harbour festival," he said.

The West Country trading ketch was built in 1907 and now earns her keep as a sail training vessel and festival-goer following a six-year-old rebuild.

Places for the tall ship experience can be booked through Mr Hooper either by emailing him at [email protected]">[email protected] or by telephoning him on 07989 676798.

When plans for the festival were first unveiled, Mr Hooper described Minehead's rich maritime history as "the jewel in the crown which needs dusting off and polishing up".

He said he hoped the festival would help to bring new visitors to the town.

"The harbour in Quay Town was once a vital naval base and has a rich history which is completely uncelebrated.

"On July 20 we will be having the first ever harbour festival as part of a programme of activities to raise its status," Mr Hooper said.

And the pirate theme has been carefully chosen, not just as an excuse to dress up and shout "arrrr" a lot, but more specifically to mark the fact Minehead was among the first harbours to officially licence privateers - men permitted by Government to attack foreign vessels during wartime.

"I know privateers and pirates aren't strictly the same thing, but by having a theme we can get everyone involved," Mr Hooper said.

Mr Hooper took on the role of visioning manager at the end of last year and was given the remit of making Minehead a "thriving, prosperous, safe and attractive town, with access to quality services and facilities for residents, businesses and visitors alike".

He has made no secret of the fact he believes culture, community and commerce are key to Minehead's long-term future.

Other ideas in the pipeline include creating a nationally important urban arboretum and secret gardens trail through Parks Walk, Blenheim Gardens and Clanville and having regular markets on the forecourt of the old hospital.

"Hopefully Saturday's festival will mark the start of a very popular annual event," he said.