Ten vessels will set sail from Liverpool on 18 September

The yachts will sail down the Mersey to be greeted at 1000 BST by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, councillor Alan Dean, from the Canning river entrance.

After spending 40 minutes on the river, the fleet will move into Canning Half Tide Dock before finally berthing at the Albert Dock.

The yachts will be based there until the race starts on 18 September.

Epic voyage

Ten identical 68ft vessels with a crew of 17 amateurs and a professional skipper will set sail on an epic 10-month voyage.

English hopes rest on the Liverpool 08 Clipper - sponsored by the city council with three Liverpool residents in the crew.

Claire Daley, Peter Mulcahy and David Dowling won their places in a council competition.

Professor Drummond Bone, chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, said: "The start of the 05-06 Clipper race promises to be one of the highlights of the Sea Liverpool calendar.

"We've had a fantastic programme of events and festivals this summer, and Clipper will be the icing on the cake."