BEACH volleyball is coming back to Weymouth’s golden sands.

The Royal Air Force Careers Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic will take place from August 1-3.

Visitors and residents will also be able to make the most of two free volleyball courts on the beach for use throughout spring and summer.

The Beach Volleyball Classic will feature free grandstand seating for spectators, two show courts and nine outside courts, a marquee village, live music, commentaries and awards presentation on Weymouth Beach.

It will attract the top 100 two-a-side men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams from across the country, with a number of top class overseas players adding to the quality.

Flt Lt John Raine, the RAF’s senior careers liaison officer for the South West said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to be involved and to continue to support the highly successful Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic.

“It is a professionally organised championship which provides an outstanding experience and an inspiration for all those involved.”

The RAF Town Show will also taking place from August 20 to 22 and is always a popular feature at Weymouth Carnival based in front of the Pavilion.

Council chiefs united with representatives from the Royal Air Force, Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic and the RAF Town Show to celebrate the future of two of Weymouth’s big summer events, worth up to £10,000.

The Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic is part of the ITSU Beach Volleyball Tour of England.

The Beach Volleyball championships, which are set to be filmed by Sky Sports, will be a showcase finale to a week-long festival of sport on Weymouth Beach, including youth sand soccer, youth tag rugby and Battens charity volleyball event.

Borough council events manager Charlotte Sheppard said: “The Volleyball Championship is one of Weymouth’s iconic summer events, providing free high quality sporting action to many thousands of spectators and a national TV audience.

“The partnership with the RAF is a great success for Weymouth and Dorset, hosting a high profile sporting championship endorsing the status and sporting heritage of the area.”

Graeme Sawyer, representing tournament directors, added: “Working with the RAF and the events team has contributed greatly to the development and success of the Weymouth Beach Classic.

“The RAF funding has given the event stability and ensured that it is Britain’s most enduring and successful Beach Volleyball Championship.”

The annual beach sports festival is organised by the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council leisure and events teams with great support form Weymouth Beach Volleyball Club, Dorset FA and Battens Solicitors.