Polperro’s popular Water Carnival is set to return this summer after an absence of 16 years.

The fun event will see teams of villagers racing home-built rafts on a course out of the harbour and back.

Organisers of the revived carnival are planning a greasy pole contest, children’s treasure hunt, live music and a three-legged race as part of a fun-packed day on the beach and quayside.

After several decades of high jinks, the Polperro Water Carnival was forced to finish in 2000. The cost of insuring the event, as well as more stringent health and safety requirements, were to blame, says current committee member Sian Puckey.

But with the support of Looe RNLI, which has agreed to be involved and to cover the insurance costs, the carnival can make a comeback.

Decorated rafts and eccentric costumes will once again be a central part of the carnival, which is set to take place on Saturday, July 29. The day will also carry an important message about safety on and near the sea, and the RNLI will be offering life-jacket checks prior to the carnival and on the day itself.

Families and work colleagues are being encouraged to register early to take part in the raft race, with the first raft-building workshop scheduled to be held in the Net Loft on Saturday, January 28.