WAY-hay, and up she rises, ready for her outing to the much loved community event that is the Leigh Regatta - a day full of maritime fun and music - taking place next Sunday in Old Leigh.

I refer to the Endeavour of course, the famous Leigh fishing boat that not only played a key role in the Second World War, which also recently travelled all the way to Dunkirk for filming in the blockbuster movie Dunkirk by Christopher Nolan.

"The Endeavour will be at Bell Wharf, where the Hoy Shanty Crew will climb aboard to give their performance of sea shanties - it's become something of a tradition now" explained the Leigh Regatta organiser and Hoy Shanty singer, Tony Prior.

It's the fourth year Tony has been at the helm of the organisations for the regatta, which he and the Lions Club of Leigh on Sea took over from the Sea Scouts of Old Leigh after the group found it increasingly difficult to keep the event going on their own.

"The scouts came to us four years ago, as they were finding it very difficult to run the Old Leigh Regatta, and were going to have to cancel the event. With six weeks to go, we stepped in and picked it up, and now we put it on with the scout's assistance, along with everyone else who is involved. Leigh Town Council and Southend Council are behind it - it's a great, family day out which I think would be a terrible shame if it had to end... fortunately it has continued to grow and we hope it will continue that way" said Tony.

The Lions of Leigh and the Sea Scouts are hosting three stages in the old town at Victoria Wharf, the Mayflower 'arena' and the Victoria Car Park.

Tony added: "There will also be two if not three real ale tents, which everyone always enjoys."

The day kicks off at 10:30am with a usual service from the Salvation Army.

Following the service includes a diverse array of entertainment and events, including the scouts sedan chair race on the beach; a sailing race; entertainment from the Thameside Mummers and the Cockleshell Clogs; songs from Colette Meury; sea shanties from the Mains'l Haul Shanty Crew from Maldon and the Rom Shanty Crew from Romford; pirate songs from the Captain Morgan's Rum Do; punch and Judy shows; the Regatta 'all in race'; cockle eating and banana eating competitions; a sailing relay; the scouts' dinghy tug of war; live music from many acts such as Tailor Made, Mucky Dennis and the Grifters, Grand Reunion, Arfur Doo and the Toe Rags and Emerald Hill; songs from Bob's Barber Shop Boys, ("like a barber's shop quartet except there are about 20 of them" explains Tony) and the scouts' marsh race. At 5pm the air will be filled with the sound of a swarm of choristers, when Funky Voices take to the stage.

In addition to the this programme, both the Billet and Peterboat pubs, also situated in the Old Town will be marking the occasion by ramping up the live music itinerary and manning their own stages outside the pubs, with separate programmes.

Tony said: "There will be stalls, arts and crafts, and children's storytelling and events. This year we have a food 'hall' of sorts, in the Foundry car park, so whether you want to eat burgers, pizza or Italian, you'll find all the food purveyors in one place.

"We've got ARC races, the RNLI Hovercraft will be putting in an appearance and lots of water events such as rowing, events on Leigh beach... it's going to be a really good day.

"Everyone, bar I think a couple of payments we had to make for the use of PA equipment, has donated their time and skills for free, all the bands, all the artists, everyone involved to make this a real community, fun day, and that's how it ought to be."

The Leigh Regatta starts at 10:30am.

Visit leighlions.co.uk/leigh-regatta-2017 for more information.