A number of Isle of Wight sailing clubs put their heads together earlier this year and came up with The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Regatta - which will get under way on Saturday and run over the bank holiday weekend.

Sailing fans and competitors alike are expected to descend upon Cowes ahead of the regatta's launch. Those wondering what to expect can look forward to racing in the IRC and ISCRS classes, which will likely see some first-class team building sailing from all involved.

But the event that will form the centrepiece of the celebrations and draw the biggest crowds is the Sail the Wight Race on Saturday.

However, there will be all kinds of competitive sailing on offer - with keelboat racing launching from the Royal Yacht Squadron platform and dinghy racing from Gurnard Sailing Club.

In fact, there's something for everyone. And there will likely be plenty of inspiration for those harbouring sailing ambitions. Such dreams can be realised by taking the kind of learn-to-sail courses offered by Sunsail.

From our Port Solent base you can learn the ropes at the hand of an experienced RYA-qualified tutor, and once you know the basics there are many qualifications to strive for, such as an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

The Cowes regatta will go ahead thanks to the efforts of a number of sailing clubs. These include the Royal Yacht Squadron; Royal Thames Yacht Club; East Cowes Sailing Club and the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club among others.

But the fun won't be limited to the water, with various parties taking place and other events such as a picnic in the park in East Cowes on Bank Holiday Tuesday.

The event also aims to raise money for a number of charities in the area - the Ocean Youth Trust IOW; Island Youth Water Activities Centre; and the The Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

David Aisher, rear commodore yachting at the Royal Yacht Squadron, hailed the event's aim to raise money for those in need through competitive racing.

He said: "There will be a great atmosphere in Cowes with the sailing and social programme providing a rather unique island event for everyone. We hope to see sailors from far and wide joining in our own special celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee."