THE countdown is on to Poole’s Maritime Festival, which will be built around a major EU event next May.

Poole will host the European Maritime Day, which is expected to attract around 1,000 experts from across the continent, despite Britain’s decision to exit the European Union.

The town is building its own festival around the conference and exhibition, harnessing it to its own Poole Harbour Boat Show.

The festival will run from May 19-21 next year, ending with a family-focused event based on the boat show.

Earlier this week, Poole mayor Cllr Xena Dion hosted a launch event to unveil plans for a Poole Maritime Ball next May 13.

Cllr Dion said: “This is an event which is very close to my heart as the Maritime Ball will mark the start of the business events, boat show and festivities planned in association with the European Maritime Day Conference which is a first for Poole, a first for Dorset and a first for the UK, so it is set to be a very special event in the 2017 Dorset calendar.

“This is a totally one-off opportunity for businesses and local people to celebrate an event that we will never see in Poole again.

“This will be the Poole event of the year, with support from prominent businesses, community leaders and locally important policy makers. The ball will include a champagne reception, fine dining, dancing and entertainment and it is all set to be glamorous and heart-warming evening – an evening not to be missed.

“The ball is destined to be fun and a great place to network, as well as to raise funds for three local charities, Chestnut Nursery, Lewis Manning Hospice and Waggy Tails Rescue.”

Cllr Dion was involved four years ago in the efforts to bring European Maritime Day to Poole.

There had been a question mark over the event after the June vote to leave the European Union, but both the UK government and the European Commission have confirmed their support for it to go ahead.

The Maritime Ball will include entertainment from a soul and funk band and dining from Beales Gourmet. Tickets cost £80, or £750 for a table of 10, with early bird discounts available. Money will go the mayor’s charities: Lewis Manning Hospice, Waggy Tails Rescue and Chestnut Nursery.

For details, visit poolemaritimeball.com