So what's it all about?

Hartlepool will greet the ships, which will have sailed from Kristiansand in Norway on the second and final leg of the race.

The town already has good links with the tall ships and their captains after almost 40 vessels visited Hartlepool en route to Newcastle Gateshead, who hosted the event in 2010.

During their stay, the ships will be berthed in Hartlepool Quays, and there will be a large number of special events organised in the run up and during the the huge celebrations in August 2010. At the heart of the festivities will be over 4,000 young people from over 20 countries.

Hosting The Tall Ships' Races further highlights Hartlepool's well-deserved reputation as a first rate visitor destination. The whole event will be an amazing and colourful spectacle for the people of Hartlepool and the thousands of people who will come to witness this amazing spectacle.

Make sure that you have the date in your diary and that you tell all friends and families and colleagues it is a must for theirs.

Why host The Tall Ships' Races

For Hartlepool, The Tall Ships' Races 2010 is an opportunity to strengthen its position in the North East as a prime visitor destination and a superb opportunity to bring Hartlepool's regeneration to the attention of an international audience.

Building on the successes of previous biennial Maritime Festivals, the town will continue to celebrate its maritime heritage and showcase the natural assets of the coastline and harbour, and such physical assets as Hartlepool Marina, Hartlepool Maritime Experience and St Hilda's Church at the Headland. Moreover, The Tall Ships' Races 2010 will continue the next stage of Hartlepool's regeneration, showcasing Hartlepool Marina as a training camp for the Olympic Games 2012 and building momentum for the substantial investment programme of the Victoria Harbour Development on the same site, which is planned to commence in earnest following the Tall Ships event in 2010.