THE countdown is on to an eagerly-awaited celebration of food, music, community spirit and all things marine-related on the South Ayrshire coast.

The annual Festival of the Sea event takes place in Dunure on Saturday, August 19, at and around the village harbour, lasting from 1pm all the way through to 11pm.

Attractions available on the day include visits from RNLI volunteers and the charity’s Girvan lifeboat, Dunure’s own coastal rowing skiff, Jimmy the piper, popular Ayrshire children’s entertainer Uncle Billy, Captain Jack Sparrow – or someone looking very much like him – and perhaps even a mermaid or two, rising from the deep especially for the occasion.

There will be live music throughout the day from The Barrstools, the Lynsey Dolan Band, Sophie Rose, Badstone, The Midlife Blues Band, The Head Hunters and more.

And there's plenty to tickle the tastebuds, too, with fresh local seafrood, tempura, pizza, coffee, beer and cider among the food and drink on sale during the event.

Parking is limited in Dunure itself, but an hourly bus service runs throughout the day between Ayr and the village - for the full bus timetable see www.spt.co.uk.

For more information about the event, check out the ‘Dunure Festival of the Sea’ page on Facebook.