Anthony CarrollThe bygone days of elegant tall ships ploughing their graceful way though the waves is to be recreated to help Yarmouth celebrate a natural 10th anniversary.Anthony Carroll

The bygone days of elegant tall ships ploughing their graceful way though the waves is to be recreated to help Yarmouth celebrate a natural 10th anniversary.

To mark the town's 10th Maritime Festival on September 5 and 6 the Artemis, Grand Turk and the Lord Nelson will be docking at the resort.

As a special treat for festival goers the tall ship Artemis will be setting its sails during the event to give people the chance to experience life at sea.

The Artemis was built in 1926 and was previously used as whaling and fright ship and after a major refit is one of the most luxurious sailing vessels in Europe.

And as an added bonus for tall ships lovers, the Artemis is offering the people the chance to arrive at the festival in style as it travels up from Southend in Essex on August 31.

Alan Carr, the chief executive of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority, said: 'The Artemis is a very different ship with a wooden hull and more than 80 years sailing experience.

'It is sure to be a great asset to this year's tenth anniversary festival.'

The Grand Turk and the Nelson are also offering tours as the dock at Yarmouth's South quay during the high profile festival, which attracts crowds numbering tens of thousands.

Also appearing at the festival is the Lydia Eva, the world's last remaining steam drifter, the Wherry Hathor and the second world war torpedo boat the MTB102.

Kirsty Burn, tourist authority marketing and promotions manager, said: 'The festival has become one of the biggest events in the Yarmouth calendar in which visitors and residents celebrate the town's maritime past present and future.

'The arrival of the three tall ships shows how successful the festival has become over the last nine years. They also herald the start of a new era for Yarmouth's maritime industry with the opening of the outer harbour soon.'

The Artemis will be setting sail from Yarmouth's South Quay on the morning and afternoon of September 3 and 4 and on the afternoon of September 5 and 6. It also sets sail on the morning of September 7.

Each journey lasts about and a place costs from �28.

For �220 people can sail on the Artemis from Southend to Yarmouth between August 31 and September 2.

To book places call the Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre on 01493 322000.