ARGH me hearties! Landlubbers looked on as the Jolly Roger – the famed pirate emblem – was hoisted at Poole Quay to flag up this Saturday’s Harry Paye Day.

The Lord Nelson tall ship was temporarily claimed by the Jolly Pirates of Poole, who are holding their sixth annual maritime-themed fun day in aid of Julia’s House, Diverse Abilities Plus and Poole Hospital.

Roger Laird explained that one of the Jolly Pirates had sailed up from Dartmouth aboard the square-rigged Jubilee Sailing Trust ship, which gives disabled people the chance to sail on equal terms with the able-bodied.

Now moored at the Quay, the ship will be welcoming visitors on Saturday in exchange for donations. “There will be opportunities to climb the rigging,” said Jolly Pirate Mr Laird.

Paye Day started in 2006 and commemorates a notorious pirate who seized 120 French and Spanish ships after they had pillaged and burnt Poole town centre.

One of the vessels was carrying so much wine that it took locals a month to consume, with the merrymaking going down in history as Poole’s greatest party.

Last year the pirates raised nearly £17,000 for charity. For this year’s event, the Quay will be closed to traffic between 10am and 6pm.

Family attractions include a big parade of pirates leaving from outside the Quay Thistle Hotel at noon and making its way along Old Orchard and the lower High Street back to the Quay, with prizes for the best fancy dress.

There will also be live music, dancing, historic re-enactments, including cannon fire. Other entertainment includes walking the plank, the Jolly Sailor tug o’ war, children’s rides, morris dancing and sea shanties.

The event coincides with Poole Afloat and the annual Fishermen’s Regatta.