Belfast prepares for four-day Tall Ships festival

Tall ships from across the world are due to begin arriving in Belfast today at the end of their transatlantic race.

Almost 500,000 people are expected to visit the city for a four-day quayside festival.

Belfast is the last port of call on the race across the Atlantic and back, which is staged every eight to 10 years.

The huge wooden ships will be open to the public today and over the weekend before sailing out of the docks in a convoy parade on Sunday.