Hayley Leighton, 27, will test her sea legs when she boards a magnificent vessel as part of the build-up to Hartlepool hosting the Tall Ships' Races.

Hayley works for the Cleveland Emergency Planning Unit, with specific responsibility for Hartlepool.

She is one of several crew members from Hartlepool and the surrounding area that will set sail on the Black Diamond of Durham – a regular participant in the annual Tall Ships' Races.

She will board the Black Diamond, in Fort Augustus, Scotland, on August 13.

It will sail to Belfast and is expected to arrive in Liverpool on August 20 in time for the first leg of this year's race.

As part of her day job, Hayley is heavily involved in the planning of safety aspects for the Tall Ships' event in Hartlepool, which is expected to attract as many as one million visitors over the four days from August 7-10.

She said: "I haven't got much sailing experience at all but when I saw the advert appealing for crew members to come forward I thought 'why not give it a go'.

"I'm already heavily involved with the Tall Ships' Safety Advisory Group preparing for the event in Hartlepool and it will be useful to find out first hand what's involved from a crew and ship perspective."

As part of her preparation for the trip, Hayley and her fellow crew members were put through their paces during a recent training day at Hartlepool Marina.

Hayley added: "It's certainly going to be hard work and there's quite a lot to learn, but there are experts on hand to keep us right. I'm really looking forward to the experience."

Up to 100 Tall Ships are expected to arrive in Hartlepool on Saturday, August 7, 2010 after sailing from Kristiansand, in Norway, on the second and final race.

They will stay in the town until Tuesday, August 10, when the Parade of Sail takes place.

There are lots of opportunities for individuals and businesses to get involved in both the run-up and during the Tall Ships' event.

These range from opportunities to crew a Tall Ship and volunteering to sponsor and become an ambassador for the event.

For further information, contact the Hartlepool Tall Ships' office on (01429) 523420, emailtallships@hartlepool.gov.uk or log on to hartlepoolmail.co.uk and click here.