EVERYTHING is guaranteed to be ship-shape for the St Mary's Community Festival which is being staged in Southampton tomorrow.

The annual event, a major date in the city's community calendar, has the theme, Gateway to the World and will emphasise the port's connection with Southampton, as well as celebrate the shared heritage and rich cultural diversity that exist among the people of St Mary's.

With the support of Associated British Ports (ABP), owner and operator of Southampton Docks, which has come aboard as a major sponsor of the event, the festival, once again, promises to be alive with a dramatic mix of colour and music, including a street procession.

Steve Hall, St Mary's Community Festival chairman, said: "We were thrilled to hear that ABP will be a major sponsor of the festival this year.''

Other attractions at the festival, staged in the grounds of St Mary's Church between 11.30am and 4pm, will include Turkish belly-dancers, a circus tent featuring magic shows, ferret-racing, and a tug-of-war.

Andrew Kent, ABP's port director in Southampton, said: "We are delighted to be a part of this year's festival.''