RESIDENTS young and old celebrated Sea Sunday in Weymouth.

This year, Sea Sunday was held on July 14 with a number of churches in the area celebrating all the brave men and women who work at sea.

In the lead up to the day, St Mary’s Church invited local schools to take part in hand painting a sail or writing a story about being a fish for the day.

St John’s, St Nicolas and St Lawrence and Westfield Arts College all took part.

The pieces of work completed by the children included stories and poems, which are still on display in the church’s welcome area.

Julie Hursthouse, Community Development Officer of Weymouth Town Council, said: “on Saturday, July 6, St Mary’s Church was open for people to come and take part in decorating a sail. You can see this sail on display inside the main church hanging from the ceiling. Alongside it is a sail decorated by Westfield Arts College. The day was great fun and it was wonderful to see so many people taking part in decorating the sail”

Neil Biles, Community Chaplain added “It’s great when the community comes together to get involved.

“They estimate that 90% of world goods travel by sea so seafarers are important people and we need to value them and this is one way to do that.”

“On the same day as Sea Sunday took place the Dorset Seafood Festival also was held in the harbour, celebrating food from the sea alongside Nyetimber Sparkling Wine.”

Neil Added “The Sea Sunday celebration in St Mary’s Church will be up for the summer and all are welcome to come and visit and even to add their stories, pictures and prayers to the ones that are already there.”

Meanwhile, Holy Trinity Church in Weymouth held a special service on the church steps.

Revd Canon Andrew Gough said: “We decided to hold our blessing of the sea from the church steps because there were so many stalls around. It was very well attended. The sermon was all about the importance of supporting seafarers.”