THERE is definitely something fishy going on in Hartlepool as the town prepares for a Maritime Festival this weekend.

Giant seahorses, fish, seagulls and weird and wonderful sea creatures are due to take the town by storm on Saturday, at 11.30am, for the Hartlepool Maritime Festival.

More than 1,000 pupils from primary and secondary schools around the town will dress up as the creatures to take part in a carnival procession around the Historic Quay area at the start of the festival in the morning.

The youngsters are busy putting the finishing touches to their costumes in a warehouse rented by Hartlepool Borough Council for the parade rehearsals.

Festival spokesman Kevin Burns said: "The atmosphere is tremendous and the excitement is certainly building for the youngsters.

"The Maritime Festival is the largest community event ever staged in the town.

"The festival theme of Hartlepool's maritime history and its links with the sea has really fired everyone's imaginations in an exciting way.

"The young people have certainly pulled out all the stops with their costumes."

The costume creations are being guided by Barbara Agar of North-East firm, Bravura, who has been appointed artistic director for the children's parade.

The festival will also include street theatre, a fairground at the marina and live music.