Stackpole's fifth Sea Kayaking Festival will take place from today (Friday) until Monday.

The festival will be bigger and better than ever thanks to the extra holidays over the diamond jubilee weekend.

It will celebrate the beauty and diversity of the Pembrokeshire coastal waters around the Stackpole estate and the further marine environment.

Ack Moore, Stackpole outdoor learning centre manager, said: "The festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring paddlers from all over Britain and beyond to experience one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline anywhere in the UK with nationally renowned instructors. We are very excited about this year's event because it is bigger and better than ever.

"The festival will be based at the centre and will enable the visitors to make use of our newly refurbished accommodation."

The event is run in conjunction with Sea Kayak Guides who have sponsored the event by providing a team of expert guides and coaches.

Day trips will challenge the kayakers with the chance to explore the best parts of the coastline and islands that conditions allow, hopefully to include Skomer Island.

On hand will also be experts in all that the coast offers with participants able to learn about the rocks, plants, birds or animals that share this amazing marine environment.

In the evenings, there will be topical talks by guest speakers, local bands will provide music, and the Boathouse at Stackpole will be serving up a barbecue.

If the paddlers prefer their evening entertainment a little more low key, Stackpole has beautiful beaches with Barafundle Bay, one of Britain's best, only a short walk away.

There is lots to see and do on land on the estate with walks through woodlands and around the beautiful Bosherston lily ponds.