The town will be transformed into a seaside resort for two days

Shipston-on-Stour has been granted �28,500 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to transform itself into Shipston-on-Sea for one weekend on 20 and 21 August.

It will see the market town adopting a distinctly nautical theme.

Regeneration group Stour Power, which chose the theme, said it was selected for "novelty" reasons.

Ideas for the event, designed to celebrate the town's heritage, include having a RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboat travelling along the River Stour, the town's band singing sea shanties, people dressed in sailor suits and streets' names changed.

'Rolls off the tongue'

Trevor Russell from Stour Power said: "Although we are 75 to 80 miles away the sea, Shipston-on-Sea rolls off the tongue.

"Although it was picked for the novelty of the idea, we hope people will also learn about the town's history and heritage."

Stratford-on-Avon District Council leader Les Topham said: "The whole project will potentially bring enormous benefits to Shipston and the surrounding villages.

"It will put us firmly on the map - both short and long term - with visitors over a wide area."

The bid for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund was backed by local traders and community groups.

Anne Jenkins, from the Heritage Lottery Fund, said the project was a "great example" of allowing a community to celebrate its heritage.

She added: "It will allow local people to explore and develop Shipston's own heritage identity."

The venture, led by the regeneration group, is being supported by Warwickshire County Council as well as Stratford-on-Avon District Council.