THOUSANDS of locals flocked into town to bask in the sunshine at the annual Barrow Tall Ships Festival.

On a beautiful summer’s day in Barrow, families and maritime enthusiasts alike were able to climb aboard and explore the Pelican of London and Spirit of Falmouth tall ships, courtesy of youth development charity Seas Your Future (SYF).

The free event, located along the town quayside next to Morrisons, gave visitors the opportunity to also admire vessels such as HW Samson (landing craft), Rix Panther (wind farm CTV), as well as tugs such as Bay Towage, Brocklebank and Furness Abbey.

Adrian Ragbourne, CEO of Seas Your Future, said: “Today’s event is the third year we have been here for the festival. The idea is to try and grow the maritime presence back into Barrow and build on its heritage.

“It’s all about re-engaging the water with the town and the folk that live here showing there is still life at sea.

“The turnout has been super, but above all else, the engagement from people coming aboard the vessels has been lovely.

“We’ve already confirmed that we’ll be back here again next year. We very much see this as one of our home ports.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Interactive information stalls from Barrow RNLI and the Furness Veterans Association were at the event, along with tantalizing hot food vendors and a live music stage.

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

Kath Jones visited with her three children for a family fun day out.

“We came down last year and decided to come again this year, she said.

“The music is great and we’ve just had a tour around the boat. The children go to sea cadets in Kendal, which is why we’ve come.”

Terry Vickers, of Love Barrow Families, visited the festival with his 12-year-old daughter.

He said: "My daughter is in the Youth Squad at Love Barrow Families. She produced some of the artwork at the front entrance with some dolphins and got her picture took with the Mayor.

"We had the opportunity through Seas Your Future to have two of our youth go on the Leader vessel.

"They went away for five days and sailed around Scotland and the Scottish Islands. It’s been an opportunity of a lifetime, they’ve loved it.  

"The rest of the youth squad stayed behind doing the artwork. Seas Your Future have helped to make this all happen."

Last year, nearly 20,000 people attended the event.

READ MORE: 20,000 people descend on Tall Ships event

Ula Mitrega, a volunteer with SYF said: “I think we might beat last year’s total of people coming aboard the ship.

"It’s been non-stop, I have a feeling the numbers are going to be through the roof.”

It remains to be seen whether last year’s total has been beaten.

Seas Your Future help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by taking them on tall ship voyages in order to develop employability skills, teamwork, confidence and self-esteem.

On Friday, the Pelican of London docked in the town on Friday after sailing with six children from Dublin via the Isle of Man.

Over the next few weeks until mid-September, up to 40 young people from South Cumbria will join the ship for voyages of seven and 14 days.