Sailing, dragon boat racing and model power boats are just some of the attractions at this year's Maritime Festival.

The nine-day event at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, features aquatic events including yacht racing, jetski rides and tours around the decks of an RNLI lifeboat.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the arrival of the Rallye Entente Cordiale flotilla from Le Treport in France on Friday.

The flotilla first set sail in 1843 when Queen Victoria visited King Louis-Philippe at the Chateau d'Eu, landing at Le Maritime festival packed with funTreport.

To welcome the flotilla, evening events have been planned for Friday and Saturday, including a show of dancing water jets choreographed to music, with a fireworks display.

The festival was officially launched on Saturday with the opportunity for visitors to try sailing a Topper dinghy and with plenty of stalls and street entertainment.

Teams will be competing to build the best raft and then race it across the water and Eastbourne Angling Association will be attempting a boat pull for charity.

Tracey Robertson, of the events development team at Eastbourne Borough Council, said:

"We are looking forward to an action-packed finale this weekend with jet skis and dragon boats.

"The event will climax with a spectacular fireworks show for all the family which is guaranteed to be fantastic.

"Sailors and non-sailors alike will find something at the show to entertain them."

Entry is free to the festival, which runs until Sunday.