A PROVISIONAL date to install a 12-metre high Mayflower ship sculpture and welcome signs around Harwich has been set.

The Harwich Tourism board met at The Pier, in Harwich, last Friday to discuss preparations and events planned as part of the Mayflower 400 celebrations.

Next year marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower ship sailing the pilgrim fathers to America.

It was announced during the meeting a £45,000 sculpture of the famous ship is set to be installed at the roundabout in Freshfields Road on Monday, July 8.

The landmark sculpture was funded by Tendring Council, with the £60,000 groundworks and plinth funded by Essex County Council.

Mike Carran, head of sport and leisure at Tendring Council said y how impressive the sculpture will look during the meeting.

He said: "It is an absolutely huge sculpture and our cranes will be carrying it to the roundabout for the installation.

"It's really impressive."

Welcome signs are also set to be installed around Harwich at the same time.

Mike said: "They will look amazing."

But plans to plant a living willow replica of the Mayflower ship on Harwich Green have been put on hold until October.

Mike said the ground had been too hard to plant the replica sooner.

He added: "Everything was prepared and ready to go, but it would have been a disaster to plant it now, so we wanted to do it properly and wait until October."

It will be built by Willow Phoenix, of Norwich, which also designed the Willow U-Boat for the 100th anniversary of the surrender last year.

It was also announced during the meeting Christopher Jones' house will be opening in October too.

Jones was the captain of the Mayflower Ship who sailed it to America.

His house is currently going through building control and will be one of the attractions for visitors and tourists during next year's Mayflower 400 celebrations.

Ivan Henderson, Harwich councillor, said: "If it was not for Tendring Council stepping in we would not have achieved what we have achieved."