HARTLEPOOL is the finish port for the 2010 Tall Ships Race. Belfast (population about five times that of Hartlepool) is the final port for the 2009 race and appears to have a three-year programme of events already in place as a build-up to the event.

In 2006, it inaugurated an annual maritime festival as part of its "Celebrate Belfast" year. This was judged a success with 55,000 people descending upon the city's harbour.

(Note that number, 55,000.

Hartlepool is projecting one million visitors, 20 times as many as Belfast for an event that topped off a month of celebrations).

The Belfast 2007 festival was held last month and attracted similar numbers. The 2008 event is already being advertised and Stenna Lines is offering weekend special rates on its Stranraer to Belfast ferry for those wanting to attend.

However, Belfast City Council's press release says "benefits are not reaped without hard work and preparation - and investment. We reckon it will cost somewhere in the region of £3m to stage the 2009 Tall Ships event".

If Hartlepool 2010 is to be the worldwide showpiece we are being promised, Hartlepool Borough Council better get its finger out.

Councillor Stephen Allison, UK Independence Party, Hartlepool Borough Council.