LYME Splash Water Polo Sea Championship will again take place in carnival week from Saturday, August 3-4, in Victoria pier on the Cobb.

The event has grown each year with teams from Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Hampshire and Wales competing.

This year, two teams from Kent and one from Cornwall are also attending and more are expected bringing together 16-18 teams and their supporters.

Karen Durham-Diggins, chair of Lyme Splash, said: “It’s a real honour that we have managed to achieve this, a feather in Lyme Regis’s cap that we hold the event here. It’s now a firm fixture each year for the teams and in Swim England’s ASA diary.

“As it’s grown so much this year we will be holding a BBQ social evening during the championship for players, their supporters and volunteers and providing camping at Hayes Farm for the duration of the event.”

Durham-Diggins added: “Our aim was to bring water polo back to Lyme Regis and as the hosts of this tremendous event we feel we are now ready to form a couple of proper teams, practice earlier and start encouraging younger people.

“Lucy and Andrew Watkinson, founders of FitAgain, who have helped since the start, stepped up to form the ladies and men’s teams.

“Anyone interested should email Andrew@fitagain.co.uk and practice will start shortly in swimming pools and from May onwards in the harbour.”

As permanent teams are now being formed, Lyme Splash will be looking for funding for a new set of floating Water Polo Goal posts.

Durham-Diggins said: “Over the years we’ve self funded and raised sponsorship from local businesses such as Baboo Gelato and Lyme Bay Holidays for safety and infrastructure equipment needed for the water polo and the Lyme Splash Lyme Regis to Charmouth 3.15k swim.

“This year we have a lot of investment in equipment and these specialist goals are a big cost item. We can use them for practice and for the actual championship.

“Moving forward we will require two floating pitches – one borrowed from Bridport Barracudas – and our own.”