A PACKED programme of crowd-pulling attractions is being promised for Clacton’s second Beach and Sea Festival this weekend.

Final preparations are under way for the event, which was a big hit with the crowds last year.

And there is plenty of action both on land and on the water.

More than 100 competitors are expected to battle it out at a series of the British Kitesurfing Championships off the coast.

There is national and international windsurfing and stand up paddle boarding on both days of the festival, which take place on June 25-26.

Gunfleet and Clacton sailing club have also announced races to coincide with the festival.

On the Saturday dinghies from the Gunfleet Sailing Club will sail past West Beach with the aim of landing ashore just west of Martello Bay.

On the Sunday there is a pursuit race, starting from the Gunfleet Club along to West Beach where there will be a triangular course.

The slowest craft set off at 11am with the rest following at staggered times. The winner will be the boat in the lead at the finish at 12.30pm.

Clacton Sailing Club is holding a catamaran race from 3pm on the Sunday, starting from its HQ two miles east of Clacton Pier, and then up to the West Beach and back.

There will be boat trips on the Viking Saga and James Stevens No14 lifeboat and an increased programme of music is being put together, along with children’s entertainment and a Saturday night beach party which goes on until 9pm.

Tendring Council tourism boss Tanya Ferguson said: “I am really looking forward to the festival with so much going on. More details of the musical entertainment will be released next week.”

The festival kicks off with a procession from Clacton Town Hall on the Saturday at 10.30am arriving at the Lower Promenade at about 11am.