Organisers of this year's Falmouth Classics sailing regatta have secured a £1,000 grant towards the event from the town council following a second attempt to win funding.

Henry Roberts, chairman of the Falmouth Classics Association, had applied for £1,500 in January when he asked councillors to consider the request as "special circumstances." The town council's finance committee rejected the application, however, as the association had received grants for the last three consecutive years.

Keen to show their support to the event, councillors advised Mr Roberts to consider applying for an annual grant instead. On Monday, he was back before councillors with such a request, this time for £1,000.

He said: "Whilst fully understanding why the committee turned down our latest application for a community grant, we would ask you to consider the effect we are having in encouraging yachtsmen and women from other part of Britain, the Continent, and Ireland to visit Falmouth and to earmark Falmouth Classics an annual event grant.

"Falmouth has a reputation amongst our competitors for friendliness and hospitality. That message goes beyond the people who took part and spreads out to their friends and families.

"We are non-profit making and all involved are volunteers but the town does derive an ongoing benefit from the many crews and followers that spends time and money in Falmouth. Falmouth Classics provides a spectacle which encourages extra visitors to Falmouth, both ashore and afloat, and helps to enhance the reputation of the town. Last year more boats from outside Cornwall took part in Falmouth Classics than non-Cornwall boats entered Falmouth Week. A grant is required to help towards the cost of promoting and ensuring the safe running of the event."

Mayor John Body proposed the council approve the application for a £1,000 annual grant. "It is a very worthwhile cause as it does bring an awful lot of people into the town and enables youngsters to get out on the water as well," he said. The rest of the finance and general purposes committee agreed and approved Mr Roberts' application for annual grant.