The annual Volleyball England Beach Tour is launched at Yarmouth this weekend giving local residents the chance to watch the best players in the country begin their national title bids.

Beach volleyball is set to take the country by storm this summer in the run-up to the London 2012 Games, and the high standard of play during two action-packed days this weekend will give Great Yarmouth a taste of what can be expected at Horse Guards Parade in July.

The beach tour will visit the seaside resorts of Weston-Super-Mare, Skegness and Margate before the finals take place in Bournemouth on August 25 and 26.

A free grandstand will be available for spectators to watch the action and if they are feeling inspired to get involved. Volleyball England's 'Go Spike' come-and-try beach courts will be available for practice.

Volleyball England launched its Go Spike campaign last summer to get more people in England involved with the buzz of volleyball. Playing beach volleyball will help to get people in the area feeling fit for summer through a social, high energy and, most of all, fun sport.

Councillor Valerie Pettit, environment portfolio holder, said: 'Just because you may have missed out in the Olympic ticket lottery doesn't mean you also have to miss out on watching this very exciting sport in person as Great Yarmouth Borough Council brings it to your doorstep once again this summer. No tickets are necessary to watch the Great Yarmouth Classic, just turn up and take a seat.'

Lisa Wainwright, chief executive of Volleyball England, said: 'Great Yarmouth Beach is an excellent location to start the VEBT and we're hoping the event will inspire more people to try their hand at this adrenaline-fuelled and fast-paced game.'

To find out more about the VEBT and volleyball opportunities in thearea, please visit www.gospike.net.