Ahoy there! Tall Ships arrive in Belfast

As many as 500,000 people are expected to visit Belfast for the Tall Ships Festival. This year, the city is the home port for the launch of the races which will involve 15 different countries and about 50 sailing ships.

The economic boost to the city has been estimated to be in the region of around £5m for the four-day event.

This is the first time since 2009 that Belfast has hosted the Tall Ships. They will go on to visit six other ports in five countries over the course of the competition.

Pictured here, Tom, Matthew and Amy Warnock enjoy the sunshine aboard the Sorlandet at Pollock Dock in Belfast during the Lidl-sponsored Tall Ships event.