THOUSANDS of people are expected to turn out alongside a special royal visitor for an annual festival this weekend.

The Sea Festival organised by the Harwich and Dovercourt Rotary Club, Harwich RNLI and the Harwich Harbour Board, will be opened by Harwich mayor Alan Rodd, Rotary President John Wade and.... King Henry VIII.

His Royal Highness will be attending as a tribute to the 500th anniversary of Trinity House with a number of events on and off the water set to take place.

Offshore events include displays by the fire fighting tug, regatta racing, visiting vessels, duck racing and of course the spectacular rescue from the Sea King helicopter.

Dozens of stalls will be lined up along Harwich Quay with charities and local organisations, charities plus fun attraction like the rodeo canoe, miniature golf, the Rotary tombola and a lobster stand.

Guided tours of classic Harwich attractions including Trinity House Bouyard, the LV18 and the Electric Palace will be on offer.

Vintage Rolls Royces will line the streets and they will be doing trips around the town on Saturday.

Ample parking is available for free on St Helens Green in Harwich for the event which takes place on Sunday July 27.