Lancaster City Council is inviting everyone to celebrate traditional seaside pleasures and life in and around Morecambe Bay this summer with Morecambe’s 7th annual Sandcastle Festival.

With a huge sandcastle competition on Morecambe's award winning beaches, bubble fun, sand art workshops, donkey rides, mud-dipping with the RSPB and other children's activities, everyone can enjoy this relaxed and fun weekend taking place both on the beach and promenade on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June.

Cedric Robinson, the Queen's Official Guide to Morecambe Bay Sands, will launch his new book on Saturday afternoon at 2pm next to the Visitor Information marquee. The new publication celebrates Cedric's fiftieth anniversary of working and walking in the beautiful but potentially treacherous Morecambe Bay.

Cedric will be available on Saturday to sign his book and chat about his experiences with a talk at 3.15pm. You can book for the talk by calling Morecambe Visitor Information Centre on 01524 582808.

Cedric will also be one of the guest judges for the sandcastle competition on the Sunday.

Internationally renowned sand artists Sand in your Eye will be back to wow visitors with their display of expertly crafted sand sculptured themed masterpieces and to lead a massive sandcastle building practice session on the Saturday for all those hoping to dig up first prize in the Super Sandcastle Competition the following day.

Local children's entertainer, Harvey Rush will also be back again this year to provide top quality magic and entertainment in the children's marquee. Lancaster City Council 's activity team will also be on hand to entertain the younger visitors with crafts, games and beach sports.

Traditional donkey rides are on offer too, taking youngsters on a gentle stroll along the sands of Morecambe Bay. Lancaster's very own Samba band, Batala, is one of the highlights on the Sunday and will be performing at various times of the day on the promenade.

All entertainment and activities throughout the weekend take place on the beach and promenade close to the famous Eric Morecambe statue.

However, on the Sunday, if you fancy a trip down memory lane, you may wish to walk the short distance to visit the Vintage Village Hall Tearoom in the Winter Gardens. Here you will find amazing exhibitors offering vintage clothing, accessories and home furnishings from the 1930s – 1970s, jewellery, crafting sessions, art and more.

There might be a couple of surprises during the weekend as well - just keep your eyes peeled for a pair of naughty giant seagulls along the promenade!

The crowning glory of the weekend - the Super Sandcastle Competition takes place on Fathers' Day and will provide a great opportunity for families to head to the beach to celebrate the day by building the biggest, best and most inventive sandcastle.

The competition is free to enter and teams can comprise up to four members. There are two categories - families/under 12s and an open category.

Registration takes place on the Sunday morning between 9.45am and 10.45am.

There is a £50 cash prize for the winners of each category and runners up will also be rewarded for their efforts.

Sandcastle building equipment will be available to purchase for this event from the nearby Festival Market which will also have its very own sandpit throughout the weekend.

A full schedule of events, including Sandcastle Competition details and registration form is contained in a free programme, available from Morecambe and Lancaster Visitor Information Centres (tel. 01524 582808), customer service centres at Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls or from the council’s website – www.lancaster.gov.uk/sandcastle  

You should take your completed registration form along on the day. But you’ll have to be quick – places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The 2013 Sandcastle Festival is just one of a whole host of events taking place in Morecambe this summer, as part of Morecambe's Festivals by the Sea programme. For more dates for your diary visit www.visitmorecambe.co.uk or call the Morecambe Visitor Information Centre 01524 582808.