Plans have been announced for two English ports to join forces to host an international sailing event.

The Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta 2014 will see a fleet of up to 30 tall ships from around the world arrive in the historic port of Falmouth for festivities from 28 to 30 August, before the race start on August 31.

It is unusual for the start and finish ports of a Tall Ships Regatta to both be in one country, but the significant role that Falmouth and Royal Greenwich have played in maritime history means that for the first time ever, the race will centre solely around English waters.

The race to Royal Greenwich will see the ships crewed by hundreds of trainees aged 16-25 years old as part of a sail training adventure.

Several of the traditional large square-rigged vessels, berthed at Queen’s Wharf in the Docks, will be open to the public and crews will welcome visitors aboard.

Visitors to Falmouth will also be able to enjoy live music and street entertainment, exhibitions, markets and children’s activities, plus a colourful ship’s crew parade through the town centre.

Parade of Sail

A firework finale will herald the ships last day in port before the spectacular Parade of Sail and race start.

The tall ships will parade between Henry VIII’s twin Tudor castles of Pendennis and St Mawes to the start line in Falmouth Bay before heading eastwards towards the English Channel.

Ships will navigate a series of waypoints in the western approaches before heading for the finishing line just off the Isle of Wight.

The vessels will then have the opportunity to stop over briefly in French or English ports en route to the Capital.

They will then cruise in company, before sailing up the River Thames to the finish port of Royal Greenwich, for a further five days of celebrations.

The Cornish town secured its place thanks to the proven success of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race in 1998, and the Fuchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta in 2008, when Falmouth was the start port for the first leg of both races.

Economic boost

This last event attracted more than 100,000 visitors into the town and generated over £12million for the local economy.

John Hick, Chairman of Falmouth Tall Ships Association, said: ‘We have this great opportunity again in Falmouth to bring many major sail training ships to Cornwall and show their crews the hospitality that is synonymous with the town.

‘We are delighted to be chosen to be part of this prestigious race yet again.’

Visit www.falmouthtallships.co.uk, join the Facebook ‘Tall Ships Falmouth 2014′ page or follow @tallships_2014 on Twitter.

Pictures: St Piran bunting and flags decorated the Tall Ship Iris as she sailed down the River Thames to celebrate plans for the Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta in August 2014.