HIGH speed power boat action is set to add an extra touch of glamour and excitement to Blackpool this summer.

The spectacular UKOBA National Power Boat Grand Prix has been netted by the resort's Tourism Department with the support of the Blackpool Challenge Partnership and will be a first for the town on such a scale.

Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line the Promenade during the two-day event which will take place on July 21 and 22.

During the weekend one hundred-mile an hour plus speeds are expected as racers thunder along the Blackpool seafront in classes that range from the OCR Class (Offshore Circuit Racing ) Honda Four Stroke Series with celebrity drivers and Jordan Formula One Team to the 1000bhp monsters of the National Offshore Fleet.

Tourism executive member for Blackpool Council, Coun Roy Lewis, said: "We are thrilled to welcome this exciting event to Blackpool which I am sure will attract many thousands of extra day and staying visitors to the town."

UKOBA event organiser Rory Power said: "We are very much looking forward to racing in Blackpool. The town has a unique seafront that will challenge competitors while giving spectators a fantastic view of the action."

The start will be in the North/ Central Pier area racing south to Blackpool Pleasure Beach where the boats will double back and roar up to the North Shore area of the town.