YOUNGSTERS are being invited to help the borough mark this year's Poole Maritime Festival by designing a special flag for the historic occasion.

Fifteen winning designs will be made into full-sized flags and flown throughout the prestigious two-day Poole Maritime Day conference, which starts in seven weeks as is one of the main events of the festival.

The competition is open to all children, aged 5-11, but all flags must have a maritime-themed design.

Borough of Poole, which is hosting the European Union-backed conference despite last year's seismic Brexit referendum decision, is also organising a range of other activities during the same week.

Poole mayor Cllr Xena Dion, one of the flag contest judges, said: "We are really proud that Poole is hosting European Maritime Day this year and I am delighted that this competition enables our young children to be part of it.

"Children's imagination can be quite breathtaking and I am really looking forward to seeing the creative and imaginative designs that they come up with."

More than 1,000 marine experts and keynote speakers from across Europe should be attending the main conference at Poole's Lighthouse Theatre, which will be followed at the weekend by the Poole Harbour Boast show, running alongside Baiter Park's Seven Seas Festival and Poole Park's Taste of the South event.

Paul Noble, commercial director of the company Flagmakers - which is sponsoring the children's competition - said: "Flagmakers are delighted to be involved in the Poole Maritime Festival, the children's flags will bring colour and fun to the town and we hope all the kids involved in the competition enjoyed creating their wonderful designs."

Once the flags are taken down they'll be presented to the winning designer, together with a certificate, to keep as a memento.

Download an application form at poolemaritimefestival.co.uk/childrens-flag-competition and ensure your entry is returned to Poole Maritime Festival Children's Flag Competition, Borough of Poole, Civic Centre, Poole, Dorset BH15 2RU by the Friday April 7 midnight deadline.