THOUSANDS of sports fans are expected to descend onto Sandbanks Beach in the summer for the 'exhilarating' annual British Beach Polo Championships.

Now in its ninth year, the event will run on July 8 and 9 featuring 72 polo ponies and some of the UK's top polo players within the temporary arena, grandstand and marquees which can accommodate up to 3,000 people.

Johnny Wheeler, the event's director, said: “After nine successful years, the beach polo is now a well-established regional event. Sandbanks is the perfect setting and the formula for combining this exhilarating sport with social and business interaction seems to be just right.

“For those who have never witnessed arena polo, it’s likened to ice hockey on horseback. The action is fast and furious verging on gladiatorial, the spectators are up close and personal and due to the confined area, it can get pretty physical at times."

In addition to the adult sporting stars, some of the UK's young polo players will also take to the arena to show off their equestrian skills and treat audiences to an exhibition match. There will also be a 4x4 race against a champion polo pony and England ladies beach volleyball team will take on Poland.

Johnny said that beach polo will have a new layout for 2016, with the hospitality and VIP marquees located by the side of the pitch to enable revellers to continue to enjoy the beautiful sea views. In the evening, the marquees will then be merged together to form a 'party area' for music acts including BBC Radio 1xtra's DJ Trevor Nelson, DJ Shiftk3y and 99 Souls.

Model, presenter and beach polo ambassador Jodie Kidd said: "You simply cannot beat the polo at Sandbanks. It gathers some of the world’s top polo players together on a wonderful blue flag beach in July for some exceptional polo, a great party atmosphere and a fashionable crowd dancing to top DJ’s on the beach."

General admission tickets cost £25 per person, with VIP tickets starting at £50 and hospitality entry from £165.