Maldon's Maritime heritage will be celebrated this weekend with the town's regatta.

Traditional boats and fishing smacks will be racing along the river on Saturday in an event reputed to date back from the early 1700s.

The event coincides with the Old Gaffers Anniversary Rally and there will also be modern cruising boats from Maldon Little Ship Club and various other sailing clubs along the River Blackwater.

"Putting the Old Gaffers Rally and the Regatta together has worked out well. This is about the fourth year we have done it," said Jon Wainwright, East Coast area secretary for the Old Gaffers.

From the Old Gaffers point of view a fleet of around 50 boats are expected and will set off from West Mersea.

Mr Wainwright said: "That race will finish at Osea Island where the fleet will reassemble and do a parade of sail up to the Hythe Quay between 1.30pm to 2.30pm where there will be a band playing and a commentary.

"We fire a gun for every boat that goes past - it's quite a spectator sport."

Also during the day a new first class smack of a type not seen for 200 years is to have its naming ceremony on the Quay.

It has been built over the last six months in a boatshed at Blackwater Marina in Maylandsea by the firm Traditional Charter.

A music festival will run throughout the day attended by Shanty Jack from Humberside and a local group called Legacy planning modern and folk music.

The Queen's Head and Maldon Little Ship Club will have music in the evening.

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