A HERITAGE festival to mark Christchurch's smuggling past starts on Monday.

The Watch the Wall - Smuggling in 18th century Christchurch festival will take place over two weeks, with re-enactments, parades, demonstrations and talks.

It will begin with the Return of the HMS Orestes, a ship involved in the 1784 Battle of Mudeford.

Christchurch schoolchildren and youth groups have spent weeks creating parts of a display for the reconstruction on Monday.

From 10am people are welcome to help build the ship in readiness for the 'launch' and voyage to Christchurch Quay at 12.30pm.

It will follow a route from Saxon Square, along the High Street to Christchurch Quay.

There will also be exhibitions at the Red House Museum, Christchurch and Highcliffe Libraries throughout the festival.

A book signing of 'Dorset Smugglers' will be held at Christchurch Emporium on Saturday, October 22 at 2.30pm, while a special screening of 'Gentlemen of the Night' will take place at the Regent Centre on Sunday October 23.

A gin tasting event, A Taste of Geneva, will be held on the same night at the Kings Hotel.

On Monday, October 24 a free re-enactment event will be held at the Red House Museum, with demonstrations of historical weapons and tactics used by each side in the 18th century.

Historian Mike Andrews will explore the dark history of Christchurch's smuggling past in a talk at Druitt Hall that evening as well.

It will begin at 7.45pm and is free.

An after-dark adventure will take place for children and adults at Stanpit Recreation Ground on Wednesday October 26 from 7.15pm when a smuggling run takes place.

And a special Battle of Mudeford re-enactment weekend will round-off the festival on Saturday October 29 and Sunday, October 30.

Copies of the Watch the Wall programme are available from the Christchurch and Highcliffe Libraries and the Christchurch Information Centre.

For more information go to their Watch the Wall Facebook page.