A WORLD championship is planning to put Mersea on the map.

Bosses behind the Paramotor Open have chosen the island to host this year’s event in May, after spending the past few years in Hull.

Paramotoring involves powered gliders with a parachute, flown by a pilot.

Mersea will play host to teams from across the world, including Qatar, Dubai and France.

Paul Smith, who organises the event, said Mersea was too good a chance to pass up. He said: “We have had a lot of feedback from people taking part previously who said they wanted it further south, to make it easier for the teams getting here from France and Belgium.

“Mersea was suggested to me, so I came down and had a look last week, and it is just beautiful.

“It is ideal for the competition and a lot of people are going to be happy.”

The championship will take over the island for five days, with teams taking part in numerous challenges from races to finding items.

Mr Smith said he hoped crowds would gather to watch the action and Mersea Island School has also been asked to get involved by designing T-shirts and logos for the competition.

Mr Smith said: “All we have to keep our fingers crossed for now is the weather.”

The Paramotor Open will take over West Mersea from Saturday, May 30, until Wednesday, June 3.