The arrival of a 1980s tall ship in Kent has been delayed due to weather conditions at sea.

Tall Ship Thalassa was due to arrive at Folkestone Harbour Arm at lunchtime today, and remain docked until Sunday.

But this morning it was revealed the vessell will not arrive until tomorrow.

A statement said: “Due to the weather conditions out at sea, Tall Ship Thalassa is now expected to arrive at Folkestone Harbour Arm at approximately 1.30pm on Saturday, July 8.”

After this, it will make a five day voyage to Boulogne.

Those onboard include 13 young people who took part in the Tall Ship Program run by The Sports Trust earlier this month.

The project saw 30 young people from Folkestone and Hythe, as well as 30 children from France, partake in a variety of sports activities.

The pupils who got the chance to board the ship were chosen according to their attendance, commitment, and motivation during the project and will travel to Boulogne in time for the famous sea festival – La Côte D’Opale fête la Mer – alongside their French counterparts.

The well-known event sees tall ships and traditional boats gather, attracting huge crowds.

A Folkestone and Hythe District Council spokesman said: “This project brings young people together to learn a range of very valuable skills and we are pleased to be able to support Tall Ships once again.”

The historic boat is a tall ship which was made in the traditional way and designed as a barquentine.

Originally built in Harlingen, Thalassa was bought by Arnold Hilkema and Jacob Dan and re-rigged in a traditional manner by 1995.

Since then, she’s been operating as a sail training ship.

On her many voyages Thalassa has so far explored the North Sea, Baltic and Canary Islands; crossed the Atlantic several times on the way to the Caribbean and South America for winter, and visited England and Scotland.

She has also been a regular competitor in the tall ships races since 2004.

The arrival of the boat is being made possible following the work of the Folkestone Harbour in collaboration with The Sports Trust, Folkestone and Hythe District Council, Ville de Boulogne-sur-Mer and Communauté D'agglomération du Boulonnais.