The three-day international maritime festival runs from tomorrow until Sunday and will be dropping its anchor at a variety of venues around the town – with everything from cookery and natural history to international music and theatre on the menu.

The event begins with a concert by Armstrongs Patent on the West Pier Stage at 7pm, with performances to follow from acts including Hughie Jones, Adrian O, co-founder Richard Grainger and Chris Parkinson and girl group Les Pirates of Brittany.

It will also see a world of sea music hosted by the Lancaster Inn, the Leeds Arms, The Merchant and the Sub-Aqua Diving Club featuring artists from across the globe.

Cllr Janet Jefferson, chairman of the organising committee, said: "It's a big celebration because we started 10 years ago, initially to raise awareness of the fishing industry and it has grown into something wonderful.

"People come from all over the country, all over the world in fact, because I receive postcards from them saying how much they are looking forward to it."

On Saturday youngsters can look forward to face-painting, storytelling and children's entertainers Bell & Bullock, who will be entertaining on West Pier throughout the day.

Once again, top local chefs will be given a platform to show off their culinary skills.

Rob Porter, chief proprietor of The Green Room in Victoria Road, is one of those who will be giving an insight into his Michelin Recommended cooking talents.

He said: "Seafest is a great opportunity to show people the variety of local food available, including fish of course. There's nothing like the atmosphere at Seafest – and the cookery demonstration tent is always popular."

Mr Porter will be appearing at 1.45pm on Saturday in the cookery demonstration marquee.

The festival, which attracts around 10,000 people a day, features a variety of eclectic aquatic entertainment.

Seafest's popular song competition, A Song for the Sea, takes place at 2pm on Saturday, in the Sea Cadets Hall.

There Be Pirates – California's number one pirate jam band – play the late slot on Saturday on the West Pier, promising rocked-up versions of sea shanties and buccaneers' ballads.

Natural England will be staging an exhibition of underwater life from around the coastline, while drama buffs will be able to enjoy Richard Grainger's play, The Moorland Whalers, also in the Sea Cadets Hall, at 1pm on Sunday.

The event will draw to a climax on the West Pier stage just after 5pm on Sunday, with All Hands on Stage.