PLANS for a maritime-themed illuminated festival will give Poole a “destination event” to rival Bournemouth’s Christmas Tree Wonderland, organisers say.

The Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival will run for six weeks from November 19, with illuminations all the way from the bus station to Poole Quay.

Organisers say having two big Christmas festivals in neighbouring towns will encourage some visitors to stay overnight in the area and enjoy both.

The trail of light installations will include an 11metre ‘magical maritime tree’ on the Quay, a 120m ‘maritime light curtain’ over the Lower High Street, another, 30m ‘light curtain’ further along the high street, an illuminated ‘Old Harry’s Ship’ and illuminations at the bus station. There will be retail huts, food and drink and a carousel.

Jacqui Rock, chief executive of Poole Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), the main sponsor, said: “I think this year will be the first year that Christmas will truly be celebrated throughout the Poole BID area.

“The festival is creating individual attractions along the entire length of the Poole BID area forming a continuous stream from Lighthouse to Poole Quay.

“Poole has never had such an extensive Christmas event that reaches across the whole of the town centre and spans six weeks. I’m particularly proud that it has been achieved without any increase in the budget from last year.”

The BID has won grant funding to match its own contribution, generating nearly £100,000 for the event.

Businesses were briefed on the plans during a launch event at the restaurant Hennings on Poole Quay.

Jon Weaver, head of destination at BCP Council, said: “We wanted to try and make this a different concept to Christmas Tree Wonderland. That’s why we worked hard at the maritime theme, to offer a different experience which won’t be Bournemouth’s experience.”

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, BCP Council’s cabinet member for tourism and culture, said the event would help regenerate Poole.

“This is a huge priority for us. It’s really important to us that we help you and help create a good quality Christmas festival for you,” she told businesses.

“There’s a huge amount of work gone into this but it’s all open for discussion.

“It’s a huge chunk of my budget put into this because we want it to be a huge success.

“If we have two huge Christmas festivals a few miles apart, it makes it a more interesting place to visit. Rather than just popping for the day, you can go for a few days.”

Jeanette Walsh, owner of high street sweet shop Truly Scrumptious, is among business stakeholders being consulted on the project.

“I feel as businesses we need to get behind this because it‘s really important that people come from outside, not just local people,” she said.

She intends to keep her own business open late from Thursdays to Saturdays to take advantage of the extra footfall.

“We do know not every business can open but I really think that this is very important for us not to miss," she said.

“If it’s successful then it’s possible we can do it every single year but I think we need to get behind it and try and open.”

Details are at pcmlf.co.uk