As the town showcases its attractions during this weekend's Maritime Festival, which could attract up to 100,000 visitors to the marina area, news of the Tall Ships' cash bonanza was revealed.

Council chiefs have revealed the benefits the town could expect when the races arrive in August 2010. They show:

• Visitors are likely to spend £16m over the weekend, based on expert reports and evaluations.




• Another £1.1m could come from public sector cash.




• And a further £750,000 could be generated from the private sector, including corporate sponsorship.

The full extent of the cash, jobs and training boost for Hartlepool was shown last night to the media on the day the Maritime Festival was launched.

Council bosses see this weekend's three-day extravaganza as a taster of things to come in two years time.

Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond said the Tall Ships' Races would be "Hartlepool's biggest ever party".

He added: "Hosting an event of this magnitude demonstrates just how far Hartlepool has come in recent years."

Between 70 and 100 ships from up to 20 countries are likely to arrive in Hartlepool on Saturday, August 7, 2010.