
With their towering sails billowing in the wind, this could have been a fleet from centuries past.

But these tall ships were yesterday making their way towards the start point for the race from Falmouth to Greenwich, south-east London, in the annual Tall Ships Regatta.

Forty-six vessels from throughout the world, including 11 magnificent square-sail ships, left Cornwall yesterday after four days of festivities.

More than 100,000 people flocked to the Cornish coast to wave off the vessels taking part in the event. About 1,000 pleasure craft allowed fans a close-up view. It is the fifth time Falmouth has hosted the tall ships since they first visited the town in 1966.

Ships comes from around the globe to take part the event, with vessels taking part in this year's race travelling from Spain, Holland, Portugal, Poland and Russia.

Tall ships taking part in the Parade of Sail from Falmouth harbour as they make their way towards the start point for the race to Greenwich, London

The ships showed off their sails as they approached the start line of the race in Falmouth, Cornwall yesterday, where crowds of thousands gathered to watch

As well as 46 historic vessels, more than 1,000 pleasure boats turned out to mark the start of the race, allowing their owners a sea-level view of the action

Crew members in the rigging of a tall ship show the scale of the vessels as crew prepare to race along the south coast and up the English Channel to Greenwich

Thousands of fans flocked to the town of Falmouth to watch the historical ships set off on their annual voyage and enjoy a weekend of events on the shore

The event will be enjoyed by thousands of others in seaside towns and cities from Devon to Kent as the ships pass by on their way to south-east London

The ships will race to the Isle of Wight in the first half of this week, before moving round to Greenwich on Thursday and Friday, starting a series of events in London

The weather was perfect for both the spectators who turned out to watch and the sailors on deck, with sunshine for those watching and a breeze for those taking part

Polish sail training ship Dar Mlodziezy, the first Polish-built, ocean-going sailing vessel to circumnavigate the globe, is one of those taking part in this year's race

Ships sail from around the world to join the annual festival, which involves festivities both in Falmouth before setting off and at Greenwich upon their arrival

The magnificent ships and hundreds of spectator boats proceeded alongside Falmouth’s beaches towards the mouth of the Helford River before heading out to sea

The huge Polish ship Dar Mlodziezy, which is more than 100m in length and uses more than 30,000 sq feet of sail, draws out of Falmouth Harbour yesterday