Fact or fiction, legend or real, mermaids have puzzled people for centuries.

One thing is for sure though, they’re alive and well in Folkestone following a project over the last six months.

Organisers behind the Folkestone Mermaid Festival released a sneak preview this week of a special mermaid calendar involving photographers, models, costumers, make-up artists, body painters and hair stylists from across the area.

Eagle-eyed walkers might have spotted mermaids on Sunny Sands, in the Coastal Park or hiding in rocks at The Warren. They were all part of the team making the Folkestone Mermaid Calendar for the 17-month ‘mer-year’ from August 2014 to December 2015.

It will be officially launched on Sunday, May 25 at the Mermaid Masquerade Ball in the Channel Suite at the Leas Cliff Hall from 7pm, with the first 50 to be signed by the team.

They will be available online for £10 from www.folkestonefestival.org or from Mermaid HQ in Manor Road, Cursley and Bond and County Fayre stores in Folkestone town centre.

Tickets are available for the Masquerade Ball until midnight from the box office.