The popular Harwich International Shanty Festival will return for its 17th edition next month - with acts from all over the UK and Europe.

Running from October 13 to 15, the line-up features artists from The Netherlands, France, Spain and, of course, the UK. 

Shanties and sea songs will be performed in a celebration of Harwich’s maritime heritage.

There will be guided tours from The Harwich Society including of the Redoubt, Old Harwich and Christoptopher Jones' House.

There will also be a talk at the Electric Palace on Pubs of Harwich by local historian David Whittle.

The first two Jig Doll workshops take place at the Masonic Hall, giving an opportunity to learn how to operate these traditional and appealing percussion instruments, with Martin Judkins and Corine Nugteren.

These will continue throughout the weekend.

As well as this, there is an illustrated talk by Jan Williams titled “Bells Across Cardigan Bay”, about her grandfather’s ship which sank off Bardsey Island in 1882, with fascinating background story about the life of a Master Mariner and his ship.

On October 14, the popular Bones Workshops continue, with “Dutch Uncle”, Hans Weehuizen visiting us again from the Netherlands and instructing participants in playing this traditional maritime percussion instrument, a suitable accompaniment to so many shanties.

Other workshops include ‘It’s shanties Jim… but not as we know them!’ with Tyburn Road, looking at alternative versions of familiar shanties, Write a Shanty with Ken Stephens and Singing in Public by Liz Randall.

On October 15 in the Electric Palace, local historian David Whittle will give an illustrated talk titled Ray Island, about the development of Parkeston village and quay and our links to the continent.

In the Masonic Hall, performer Chris Roche will present a workshop titled My Friend Stan about his friendship with Stan Hugill, the man who originally inspired today’s popular shanty movement.

Among the performers will be Les Brouilleurs d’Ecoutes from La Rochelle in France, who describe themselves as a Franco-British group with an Irish flavour.

Yorkshire folk band The Jack Tars will also be performing after almost missing out on the gig.

The group specialise in sea shanties, making them a natural fit for the festival.

However, they only secured their spot after another act dropped out, bumping them up from the waiting list.

Writing on their social media page, the group said: "We cannot wait to head to our first Shanty Festival and it's one of the best in Europe."

If you are interested, email: info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk

For full details of all events and to buy advance tickets visit www.harwichshantyfestival.co.uk.