As Hartlepool gears up for a weekend of Tall Ships, reporter on the ground Michael Robinson watched the first of the ships sail in and got a sense of how the town was feeling ahead of festivities.
Fay Armstrong and her husband Keith stood on the Hartlepool Marina and watched the fleet. She described the events this afternoon as "absolutely brilliant”.
Fay added: “They were singing and playing the band on one of the ships, and it was beautiful. Really not to be missed - it's wonderful.
"I would like to be here when they sail out, but it will be too packed."
When asked how it compared to the last Tall Ships event in Hartlepool, she said it was "better” than previous years.
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Cllr Shane Moore was equally delighted with the nautical procession. He said: "We're here today celebrating the Tall Ships event, and welcoming people to Hartlepool.
"It is the first time we've hosted this event since 2010, we're really excited to welcome everybody back.
"So far, it has gone absolutely brilliantly, we're seeing so many smiling faces, people from all around the world, not just the UK."
"It's lovely to see people enjoying themselves and to see the town alive like this as well."
He said he was surprised by the turnout on Thursday and today, and expects the Marina to be "very busy" over the weekend.
He was serenaded by Lorna Rees and Rufus Rees Coshan of Hartlepool Welcomes on the promenade
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