The harbour of Fowey in south east Cornwall, has been chosen as a midway point for a prestigious 500-mile race.

The Sailtica Race is a bi-annual competition for cruisers and multihulls over 8.5m.

The Royal Fowey Yacht Club will be assisting the French organisers by co-ordinating the Fowey end of the 2013 yacht race from Pornichet, France and back again.

So far 20 yachts have signed up, and for the three days the 120 French sailors are in Fowey, from 5-9 May, the locals will be pulling out all the stops to make their visitors feel welcome.

The French sailors will be invited to learn to play croquet, take guided walks around the estuary, enjoy hog roasts, share sea shanties with the local sailors and watch the spectacle of 32 Morris dancers cavorting.

They will also being invited to join the Wednesday night racing aboard the local Troy and Fowey River boats and afterwards, share race night supper with the Fowey sailors.

To ensure a spectacular start to the return leg of the race on Thursday, 9 May, at 1200, the harbour master will be closing the harbour to all commercial traffic while the 20 yachts cross the in-harbour starting line.

Other cultural exchanges are planned between these two Celtic towns.

For more information, visit the Sailtica Race website or contact the Royal Fowey Yacht Club on 01726 833573.