The Dutch tall ship Brig Mercedes will sail into port for the Yarmouth Maritime Festival for the first time and offer three-hour trips to visitors.

The Dutch tall ship Brig Mercedes will sail into port for the Yarmouth Maritime Festival for the first time and offer three-hour trips to visitors.

The two-masted yacht will be a welcome replacement for the Grand Turk, a replica of an 18th century frigate made famous by the television series Hornblower, which bade farewell to the town at last year's festival.

The ninth Maritime Festival will take place over the weekend of September 6 and 7 and is predicted to draw more than 30,000 spectators from across the region.

The German-registered Brig Mercedes will offer three-hour sailing trips, boarding at South Quay from Thursday, September 4 to Sunday, September 7.

Chairman of the Maritime Festival committee Aileen Mobbs said: "We're really very excited to have the Mercedes this year and to be able to offer our visitors this amazing opportunity to take to the waves on the newest of Tall Ships for what should be an exhilarating experience. This really adds an additional element to our well-loved and well-established festival."

Festival goers will be entertained by music from shanty singers, demonstrations of traditional maritime pastimes and a return visit of the Newfoundland dogs. A range of different vessels are expected into port for the event.

For those who enjoy the fruits of the sea, cooking demonstrations from some of the region's leading chefs will take place on the main stage, with recipes available in the souvenir guide on sale Friday, August 22.

Tickets for the Brig Mercedes, from £30 adults and £15 children (Under-threes free) are available from Yarmouth tourist information centre on Marine Parade or by telephoning 01493 846346.