Tall ship due in Lowestoft

Alasdair McGregor A striking tall ship - 50 metres in length and boasting 900sq metres of sails - will dominate the skyline when it spends four days in Lowestoft in May.

Alasdair McGregor

A striking tall ship - 50 metres in length and boasting 900sq metres of sails - will dominate the skyline when it spends four days in Lowestoft next month.

The Dutch-based Mercedes will arrive in the port on May 1 and offer people the chance to take to the waves around the east coast.

The Amsterdam-based ship is a former ocean fishing vessel, but was redesigned as a tall ship and took to the waters in its current guise for the first time in 2005.

Darren Newman, Waveney's tourism manager, said: "We have worked closely with Associated British Ports and the ship's owners to bring her to Lowestoft and we are proud to provide a temporary home for such a beautiful vessel."

There will be no public access to the docks whilst the Mercedes is in port, but the public will be able to view the ship from the South Pier each day as it leaves and enters the port. There will be two three-hour trips a day, from 3pm-6pm and 7pm-10pm, on May 1, 2 and 3 and one trip between 3pm and 6pm on May 4.

Tickets go on sale from today and cost £40 per adult and £20 per child. Family tickets are available for two adults and two children at £100. Tickets are available from Lowestoft Tourist Information Centre at the East Point Pavilion or call 01502 533600.