The annual celebration of the day a Kent town was officially handed back to Britain by the Dutch is taking place tomorrow.

Queenborough Independence Day is being marked with live music, a harbour market and a special visit from the Sheerness lifeboat crew.

The event, which was the brainchild of Kevin Burgess, the landlord of the Flying Dutchman, has taken place in June since 2017.

Queenborough surrendered to the Dutch in June 1667 but, because of an administrative oversight, only officially regained its independence when it was handed back to Britain on June 17, 1967.

To mark the occasion there will be live music playing at various venues throughout the day.

At noon Matilduo will be playing at the Queen Phillippa Garde, at 2pm Heroes will be performing at The Rose.

At 2.30pm Looking back will be at The Flying Dutchman, whilst at 3pm Queenborough Yacht Club will be hosting Catherine‘CJ’ Jomes.

And finally, at 5.30pm the Stripped Back Acoustic Duo will be performing at The Admiral’s Arm. Various artists will be performing at The Old House At Home pub throughout the day.

The RNLI Sheerness Lifeboat and the Sheppey Coastguard Team will also be paying the town a visit.

Crews will be mooring up at the All Tide Landing.

A spokesman for the Sheerness RNLI said: “Both our lifeboats and their crew will be attending the Queenborough Independence Day celebrations on Saturday.

“Both boats will be alongside the harbour, the crew will be on hand to answer any questions and, dependant on conditions, will give visitors the opportunity to have a look around our ‘all singing and dancing’ all-weather Shannon class lifeboat 13-38 Judith Copping Joyce.”

The Queenborough Harbour Market is also set to be ready and waiting for visitors.

It will begin at 10am on South Street and will stay open until 3pm.

For more details on the event visit the Queenborough Independence Day 2023 Facebook page.