AT least two three-masted sailing vessels will be the stars of the show at the biennial regatta of the Cornish Lugger Association in Looe Bay next month.

Paul Greenwood, of East Looe, is the chairman of the Cornish Lugger Association, and is fast putting together the finishing touches to the June 19-21 weekend festival.

Weather-permitting one or two of the modern-day French three-masters, La Cancalaise and the Carontin, will be crossing the Channel.

An impressive three-masted lugger of 60 foot overall, La Cancalaise is owned and operated by the Association Bisquine Cancalaise, of France, and has visited Looe before. She was built in 1987 at Cancale as an exact replica of La Perle, the last of the original bisquines. The Carontin was probably more of a cargo lugger, than a traditional fishing boat.

Definitely in attendance will be the Millbrook-built Grayhound, one of the most breathtaking luggers of the 21st century.

More than 30 former fishing luggers over 30 foot in length have indicated they, too, will be attending the event, together with 20 or so smaller luggers.

Greenwood has been extraordinarily busy these past two years.

'Without events like this, and the devotion of people who own these traditional craft, many of the old fishing boats would be left to rot, taking with them such a vital piece of irreplaceable maritime history,' says Greenwood.

As well as the sailing, The Fish Market on East Looe Quay will be the venue for the crews' reception on June 19 and prizegiving on June 21. These functions are private but Saturday night's dance on the quay, with entertainment by the folk-rock band Jonah's Lift is open to all.

For more details about the Lugger Association, contact chairman Paul Greenwood on 01503 265380 or secretary-treasurer Andrew Gill on 01503 265332.