The Historic Dockyard Chatham will host the two-day Medway Maritime Festival (August 28-29) as part of SeaBritain 2005 which will include historic re-enactments of naval life and heritage, maritime displays and a celebration of music inspired by the sea. It will also host a Trafalgar Night Party (Oct. 21) with food, drink and music culminating in a fireworks finale over the River Medway.

Other events in the region for 2005 include:

· Dickens Festival – celebrating the works of local author Charles Dickens with parades of costumed characters (Rochester, June 3-5).

· The Visit of the Grand Turk Tall Ship - a chance to explore a replica of a 1780s Royal Navy frigate (Sun Pier Chatham, July 8-13).

· Son et Lumiere - Rochester Castle will be brought to life with spectacular lighting shows (Sept. 1-4).

The area, 31 miles south-east of London, has a wealth of maritime history with both Chatham and Sheerness dockyards building ships for the Royal Navy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Website: www.medway.gov.uk/tourism.