Tall ships excitement grips Falmouth

Ticket sales for a Falmouth tall ship visit have risen sharply following the announcement that the port will play host to the Iberian Tall Ships Regatta 2014.

Falmouth favourite Mercedes, a luxurious Dutch brigantine which last called at the port in 2011, will visit over the Easter break offering a series of memorable four-hour day and evening sails between Friday, 29 March and Monday, 1 April.

Unlike most ships in her class, Mercedes was built specifically with the needs of the corporate entertainment market in mind and has a very comfortable interior.

Falmouth has been a tall ship friendly port since 1966 and has enjoyed a fine history of memorable visits ever since, including the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta in 2008, which brought an influx of visitors to Cornwall and provided an estimated £6m boost to the local economy.

Sara Pugh of Falmouth Tall Ships Association, which works to bring tall ships to Falmouth, said it's an exciting time to be a sailing fan in Cornwall. "There's a real buzz in the air as the return of Mercedes nears. She has proved a real hit during previous visits to Falmouth and looks set to delight local tall ships fans once again over the Easter break."

Tickets for the four-hour Mercedes trips are priced at £59 for adults and £30 for children and include a meal aboard. Adventurous visitors will be given the opportunity to assist the crew in setting sails. To book your place visit www.tallshipsfalmouth.co.uk/tickets or call 01326 254981.