A Falmouth regatta with a “relaxed” reputation is set to triple in size and move dates this year, as organisers aim to create a “high quality substantial stand-alone sailing event”.

Falmouth Classics has been a single race taking place on the first day of Falmouth Week for more than 20 years.

While it regularly attracted more than 100 boats locally, organisers felt it was overshadowed by other events taking place in August, so this year it will be moved to June and combined with the blossoming International Sea Shanty Festival held in the town each year.

Organised by a group of volunteer sailing enthusiasts, under the banner of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, the event will boast some of Falmouth’s most highly qualified and experienced race, safety and shore-side officers.

Roger Hollingsworth, chair of the organising committee, said: “For too long Falmouth Classics has hidden its light under a bushel.

“Making the regatta into a high quality substantial stand-alone sailing event is exactly the right thing for Falmouth Classics, it's the right thing for the shanty festival and it's going to be great for the port of Falmouth.

“We can't wait to see it in full swing.”

Town manager and shanty festival chair Richard Gates said linking the regatta and the festival “makes perfect sense bringing events on the water and ashore even closer together.”

He added: “With the RNLI being the nominated charity for both festivals this is a further positive partnership.”

The new-look Falmouth Classics will take place over three days from June 14 to 16. Crews are due to arrive in port on Thursday evening for racing over the weekend.