TRADITIONAL seafaring songs filled the air as Harwich’s tenth annual Sea Shanty Festival went off in style.

Performers, poets and pirates took over the town from Friday to Sunday as the festival enjoyed its best ever year.

People packed into venues around old Harwich for special events, including rousing performances of hearty shanty tunes from the Ha’Penny Pier, Electric Palace and a host of pubs.

The Redoubt Fort also took centre stage, hosting battle re-enactments by the Kings German Artillery, as well as spectacular displays, live music and cannon firing.

Stalls and shops were also up and running for the occasion, along with street performances, maritime wood carving and competitions.

It marks the tenth anniversary of the ever-growing event, which started from humble beginnings as a single group of shanty singers performing in a pub.