inaugural Bermuda to Brest Trans-Atlantic Race.

Organiser Paul Adamthwaite, whose boat Stormy Weather won the 1936 Newport-Bermuda Race, is among the fleet which will be attending the Brest Festival in July.

Nearly 2,300 boats are expected to gather in France for the world's largest traditional boat show.

Some fascinating vessels are set to make the 2,800-mile voyage from Bermuda to Brest. They range in size from the 90-foot ketch Meroe of Kent to the 28-foot sloop Wildfire of Wight .

The boats will be berthed at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club throughout this week, with a reception for the skippers planned for Friday evening.

On Saturday, a sail past is planned in Hamilton Harbour at 10 a.m., with the yachts parading up and down past Albuoy's Point before departing to St George's to clear customs before Sunday's noon start.

The public is welcome at the yacht club to take a look at the boats which sailed the seas in days gone by.

It is hoped to make the Bermuda to Brest Race a triennial event, with the aim of bringing North America and Europe closer together.

The voyage is expected to take between two and three weeks, getting the fleet to Brest in time for the festival starting July 10.