THE 2006 holiday season will see more than 200 festivals and events in Weymouth and Portland - including a prestigious world Sailing regatta.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council has launched the resort's holiday programme for this year with a mixture of sporting fixtures, traditional parades, summer fireworks and the annual carnival.

More than 50,000 leaflets will be sent out to households in Weymouth and Portland and distributed to tourist information centres and hotels around the country.

The information will be published on the council's website - which is expected to attract four million hits this year.

One of the biggest events will be the International Sailing Federation Volvo World Youth Sailing Championships in July, which will bring 500 young sailors from 55 countries to compete in the borough's waters.

The event will be hosted by the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and many of the competitors are expected to return to the resort to take part in the 2012 Olympics.

Weymouth and Portland councillor Lynne Herbert, the council's Tourism and the economic spokesman said: "The heart of the borough is still beating proudly with the tremendous news of Weymouth and Portland being selected to host the sailing events for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

"This global championship will provide the borough with a unique opportunity to promote its enormous diversity of culture and heritage along with its enthusiasm in hosting major events, festivals and sporting championships. We look forward to providing hospitality, entertainment and support to the community, visitors and competitors from around the globe in 2006."

Other sporting events include the national beach volleyball championship, beach tag rugby and squash and hockey festivals.

Trawler race day, the international kite and oyster festivals and the Military and Veterans' Festival are in the programme.

Leisure and entertainments promotions manager Steve Davies said that although Victorian Shownight was listed, the make-up of the event had yet to be decided.

Tourism and entertainment manager Simon King said: "We are proud of the contribution that the events programme makes to the profile and prosperity of the borough and in particular the huge commitment, enthusiasm and contribution from the local community."