POOLE will still host one of Europe’s biggest maritime events next year despite Britain’s decision to quit the EU.

Doubts had been raised about whether the town would be allowed to welcome the EU-backed European Maritime Day, around which the town is planning its own maritime festival.

But the UK government and the European Commission have both confirmed their support.

The European Maritime Day conference and exhibition attracts more than 1,000 delegates from around the world.

Next year’s is the first to take place in the UK. It will be on May 18-19 – two months after Britain is expected to trigger the process of leaving the EU.

Maritime and shipping minister John Hayes said: “I first heard about the exciting plans that Poole has for the event in 2014 and I am delighted that my return as maritime minister will allow me to see those plans come to fruition. “The UK has a proud maritime history and Poole will provide an excellent showcase for our maritime industry on an international stage.”

The Poole Maritime Festival will end with a family-focused event based on the successful Poole Harbour Boat Show, which will run from May 19-21.

A ‘Stakeholder Infoday’ about the conference will be held in Brussels on October 25, with a further event in Poole mid-November.

Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said: “Poole Harbour Commissioners are delighted that we now have confirmation that European Maritime Day will take place next May. This will be an excellent opportunity for Poole and Dorset to market what we have to offer to a wider audience.

“The maritime sector is enormously important to the region and we look forward to hosting many hundreds of visitors to the event.”

Cllr Mohan Iyengar, the council’s cabinet member for economy, culture and leisure, said: “This is a great opportunity for our residents, local organisations and businesses to learn more about all-things maritime, to make contacts and have a great time.”

Poole mayor Cllr Xena Dion was involved four years ago in the efforts to bring it to Poole.

She said: “I am immensely proud of the work that I and officers have done to bring this event to Poole and am truly delighted that the vote to leave Europe has not jeopardised our position.

“I don’t believe any event has had the potential to raise Poole’s profile nationally and internationally as a significant coastal town and sea port as this does.”

At a meeting last year the council agreed to scale down previously agreed plans for the festival after acknowledging the 'significant financial challenges' it faced.

The council had initially said Maritime Day could be as big as the Bournemouth Air Festival, but has since decided to use the existing Poole Boat Show as the basis for the family festival element of the event, with a funding increase of just £15,000.