The Lord Nelson will sail into Wellington Dock

The three-day maritime event opens on Friday with live bands playing on a new music stage at the Pier Head.

Visitors will be able to see tall ships The Lord Nelson and The Prince William at Wellington Dock and The Grand Turk and Eye of the Wind at Canning Dock.

Free sailing lessons and a shanty festival will also be on offer at the event, which is now in its 25th year.

Lifeboat plea

The River Festival has been organised by the Liverpool Culture Company as part of the city's build up to the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is using the festival to launch its campaign to find new crews from the North West.

An all-weather lifeboat will be open to the public at the Albert Dock, with crews on hand to explain the work they do.

There are also plenty of activities for children and young people over the weekend.

A flotilla of boats, made by local schoolchildren from unwanted CDs, will sail into Salthouse Docks at midday on Friday.

The boats have been made as part of a project that promotes creativity and recycling.

Children over the age of eight are also being invited to take part in 20-minute taster sessions in canoeing, sailing and windsurfing, at Liverpool Watersport Centre, Queen's Dock on Sunday.

And the National Museum of Liverpool Life is running craft workshops on how to make your own pirate ship on Saturday and Sunday.