THERE is less than one month to go before the start of the eagerly-anticipated Poole Harbour Boat Show.

This event, now in its fifth year, takes place at Poole Quay Boat Haven and is one of the biggest free boat shows on the south coast.

Supported by the Daily Echo, more than 30,000 people attended in both 2017 and 2016.

Poole yachtswoman Pip Hare, who is based in the harbour while training for the Vendee Globe solo around the world race in November, will be speaking at the show's launch event on the Friday lunchtime, ahead of the official opening later that day.

The Vendee is one of the most extreme sporting events on the planet, and Pip is just one of 30 elite international skippers who will line up for the race

Last week boat show organisers announced that power boat racing will be part of the spectacle this year.

The 2019 Fortitudo Property Poole Bay 100 Offshore Powerboat race marks the opening round of the 2019 UKOPRA World Offshore Championship.

Race organisers will make Poole Harbour its base over the weekend of the boat show and use pontoons at the event as their wet pits.

Harbour boat show marketing director Tracy Payne said: "We are thrilled to have forged this new partnership for 2019 and to welcome Fortitudo Property Poole Bay 100 Offshore Powerboat Racing to Poole.

"We are always keen to attract new audiences to our ever-growing show and add new levels of interest for our visitors.

"We would urge visitors to head down to the quayside and view these impressive boats."

The live music schedule is yet to be confirmed for the show.

But quayside exhibitors for 2019 include the Daily Echo, Cobb's Quay Marina, Elite Marine Aqua, Poole Maritime Trust and The Society for Poole

An event spokesman said: "The three-day extravaganza will bring together a spectacular showcase of yachts and motor cruisers, tall ships, marine equipment, water sports gear and clothing, with taster sessions, live music and fireworks to keep the whole family entertained

​"The ever popular waterborne demonstrations will be back for 2019 with the RNLI, Border Force and Poole Harbour Commissioners putting on displays to show what their work involves on a day to day basis."