IT IS a celebration of Southampton’s proud maritime heritage, and a commemoration of the city’s role in two world wars.

But the Southampton Maritime Festival, set to take place this weekend, will also feature an exciting entertainment line-up including X Factor favourites Kingsland Road.

More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the two-day showpiece, taking place at Ocean Terminal on Friday and Saturday.

It will feature a host of historical vessels and vehicles, a Hurricane and Spitfire flypast at 2.30pm on Saturday and a series of talks.

But the entertainment line-up will feature acts as diverse boyband Kingsland Road, a ukulele band and sea shanty singers.

Entertainment will take place throughout both days, starting at 10.30am and 10.40am respectively.

The acts on August 22 include south coast singer-songwriter Charlie Woodford, the Wessex International Majorettes and cabaret artist Sarah Batt, who will perform songs from the 1940s.

City mayor Sue Blatchford will then officially open the festival at 11.30am, before performances by national Teenstar competition finalists Lucy Smith and Issie B and singer Nicole McNally.

X Factor boyband Kingsland Road, who appeared on last year’s show, will then appear at 2.30pm.

The schedule for August 23 will be opened by the suitably nautical notes of sea shanty singers Bosun’s Call, before the Vox Pop Choir perform some Blitz-era numbers.

The day will also feature performances from talented dancer and singer Isla Moir, musical duo Holloways and Perks, the St Andrew’s Pipe Band and the Igloo Ukulele Band.

Garry Momber, from the Southampton Heritage Federation, said: “We’re so pleased to hold the festival for a second year running.

“In a year of major historical landmarks and commemorations, the timing could not be more apt.

“We were staggered by sheer numbers of residents and visitors coming down to the docks last year and, with a great variety of things to see and do this year, we hope that people come down once again for another great day out.” Advance tickets, priced £5 for adults and £1 for children for day tickets or £12 for two adults and parking, are still available online at southamptonmaritimefestival.

com.

Tickets, priced £6 for adults, £5 for over 60s and carers and £1.50 for children aged five to 15, will be available on the festival gates.