TOURISM chiefs today told of their hope that a visit by a spectacular tall ship to Ipswich will draw crowds of visitors to the town's Waterfront.

TOURISM chiefs today told of their hope that a visit by a spectacular tall ship to Ipswich will draw crowds of visitors to the town's Waterfront.

The working tall ship Picton Castle is set to grace Ipswich next month and people are being invited to take the opportunity to tour the vessel.

It is hoped her time at the Waterfront will bring hundreds to the area.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said today: “Having such a spectacular tall ship visiting the Waterfront is great news for Ipswich.

“Not only do visits like this help Ipswich celebrate its wonderful links with tall ships of the past, but it also helps us to draw attention to the magnificent progress that is being made at the Waterfront.

“We're sure hundreds of people will be drawn to see the Picton Castle during her time in the town.

“While they are taking a tour of such a special craft it will be a great opportunity for visitors to see the transformation of the area and the real progress being made in turning it into a fantastic place to live and spend time.”

The Picton Castle will be sailing into Ipswich on September 5. She will berth at the Waterfront, which has seen massive regeneration through the construction of hundreds of apartments and the new University Campus Suffolk building.

Based in Lunenburg in Nova Scotia, Canada, the square rigger has just completed a 2,800mile voyage and will be in Ipswich as part of a ten-month tour of ports in Europe, Africa and the West Indies.

She was last in Ipswich 20 years ago.

Built in 1928, the ship was originally a motorised trawler. She was used by the Royal Navy as a minesweeper during the Second World War but later became a freighter.

After falling into a state of disrepair, she was found in Norway and refurbished by her current captain Dan Moreland in the early 1990s and was brought to Ipswich on the way to Canada, where she was refitted and converted to sail.

Picton Castle is due to sail up the river Orwell on Friday, September 5. She will be open to the public between September 6 and September 9, before leaving for her next destination on September 10.

Are you looking forward to the visit of the Picton Castle? Do you remember the last time she was in town? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk