EAST Yorkshire plans to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a spectacular flotilla on the Humber this summer.

Organisers are hoping thousands of people will flank the banks of the estuary over the bank holiday weekend in June.

It aims to recreate a flotilla held in 1897 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's reign.

John Medland, commodore of Hull Sailing Club and one of the organisers, said it represents an opportunity to put East Yorkshire on the map.

He said: "The Humber area will receive great national exposure. This will be a really positive event."

Mr Medland said six yachting clubs had been asked to supply vessels.

"We are looking for 60 vessels to take part – one for each year of the Queen's reign," he said.

Yachts will be joined by motor boats and barges, said Mr Medland.

The flotilla will be led by three tugs spraying water from their deck guns and will also include a heritage fleet, featuring the Humber Keel & Sloop Preservation Society's Amy Howson and Comrade, and the yacht Ierne, which secured gold at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics.

Vessels will form up on the river, in front of the viewing area at Hessle Foreshore, late afternoon on June 4.

He said: "The yachts and motor boats will come out of Hull Marina at about 4pm, then make their way to the Humber Bridge.

"The idea is to muster this side of the bridge, giving people gathered on the foreshore a grandstand view.

"The flotilla will be half a mile long. It will then make its way to North Ferriby, where it will turn round, gather briefly again at the same spot, then disperse."

Mr Medland has experience of organising marine events.

"A couple of years ago I was involved in the planning of the Clipper event when it came to Hull," he said. "So I know there will be real interest in the flotilla. We are expecting tens of thousands of people."

Mr Medland said Hessle Town Council is heavily involved in the planning of the flotilla, with Hull City Council now taking an interest too.

He said: "It is growing all the time. We hope to have a firework display in the evening, but this is subject to securing a sponsor."

Beacons will be lit in four areas of the foreshore and the towers of the Humber Bridge will be illuminated when the fleet has departed.

Mr Medland said it was important the Queen's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated.

"It is an outstanding achievement to reach 60 years," he said. "The Queen is just a fantastic person.

"People love to have a whinge about the Royal Family.

"But in my view they represent the British Isles superbly."

Pageantmaster Bruno Peek, responsible for celebrations across the UK, said it was the only flotilla he had heard of taking place outside London.

He said: "I think it is brilliant, a great effort.

"I wish them all the best. It will be an amazing event."

Further details will be printed in the Mail nearer the time.