A Maldon shanty crew have organised the town's first ever sea shanty festival.

The new summer event promises to help keep alive an ancient maritime tradition. 

The one-day festival will be held on June 14 and feature eight shanty crews from all over Essex and beyond.

Maldon-based singers 'Mains'l Haul' are hosting the event. 

The shanty group have participated in similar festivals in other Essex ports and resorts including Harwich, Rowhedge and Leigh on Sea, but next month will mark the first time they organise a festival themselves. 

Organisers' spokesman John Clark said: "Maldon Shanty Festival will provide an opportunity for local people and visitors of all ages to enjoy shanty singing, perhaps for the first time. 

"We hope people will feel inspired to join in with the singers, and help keep alive this age-old tradition."

Venues throughout the town will ring to the sound of popular and less-well-known shanties from around midday until late at night. 

Participating crews will take turns to perform throughout the day on Maldon Quay, in the nearby Little Ship Club and at the Octagon adjoining St Mary's Church. 

Afterwards, following a massed sing on the Quay at around teatime, all will gather in St Mary's Church for a concert at 7pm featuring the participating shanty crews. 

All money collected on the day will go to the Maldon-based Thames Sailing Barge Trust. 

Visiting acts signed up for the event include the all-female Silver Darlings from Southend, London's premier shanty crew the Hog Eye Men, Goldhanger Shanty Crew, Hoy Shanty Crew from Leigh on Sea, a community shanty choir from Bury St Edmunds called No Hiding Place, and Hoy Boy, a south Essex solo singer known for encouraging audience participation.