A Sailing enthusiast has called on Weymouth's water sports clubs to join together and create a mammoth marine festival.

Peter Hopford, chairman of Weymouth Sailing Regatta, wants sailors, rowers, and windsurfers to hold their annual races with the town's famous trawler race during a week-long series of contests, possibly coinciding with Weymouth Carnival.

He said that doing so would increase the events' profiles, participation and spectator interest, boosting the town's economy and profile.

It is hoped it would grow to be the one of the biggest maritime festivals in the country.

A marine festival is already planned for Portland Port next July but organisers believe the two events would be complementary and boost the area's profile.

The proposed new extravaganza would be based around competitive and fun events on the water, whereas the planned Portland event will focus on fishing, diving and ship tours.

Weymouth's sailing regatta finished on Sunday, August 17 and more than 400 people from all over South Dorset enjoyed three days of racing and social activities.

But although it attracts many competitors it is not widely followed outside the sailing community.

Mr Hopford, 57, who lives in Charminster, said: "The regatta is one of the town's major events. I think more people from the town could enjoy the contest if it was expanded to include other vessels such as gigs and windsurfers. It could become an event for the whole family.

"But we would need the council to help organise it, as we couldn't do it by ourselves," he said.

Three events would be prime contenders for an enlarged competition: the annual windsurf Harbour Dash, the gig regatta, and the trawler race.

These are currently held in the summer, but up to 12 weeks apart.

"If we all got together for a bigger event, I think there would be more publicity and involvement from everybody," said Mr Hopford.

Norman Petty, who organises the windsurfers' Harbour Dash, said: "I think it is a brilliant idea, but I don't know how much support there would be for it. You'd need to have safety cover for all the events. We try to maximise our attendance and a straw poll said the best time for it is the August Bank Holiday weekend."

Weymouth Rowing Club's Sarah Fennell also gave the idea the thumbs up.

The town is now established on the west country gig racing circuit and has been authorised by Cornish authorities since 2002 to hold a formal regatta on the second May Bank Holiday.

She said: "We would certainly look at something that raised the profile of our gig racers. Our regatta is becoming more and more popular and already attracts a lot of people to the town, but there is no reason why an extra date couldn't be found."

But Hugh Chalker, chairman of the popular trawler race, said such an event would be unlikely to include the fishing boats.

He said: "The trawler race is a very big event for Weymouth. People come and stay in the town especially for it. It would be a great shame to amalgamate the race with anything else."

The town's only current multi-activity marine festival, the Waterfest, was forced to cancel this year due to lack of backing.

But organisers are hoping to revive it next year and welcomed Mr Hopford's plans.

Steve Holmes, who runs the Coastal Sea School next to the Pavilion, said: "I think holding a bigger event is a good idea, and I would be more than willing to help. There would be no problem with safety cover, and we've got the best sailing waters in the UK."

The Portland festival based around Castletown and Portland Castle will act as the hub to four days of ship open days, diving demonstrations and fishing activities.

Rupert Best of Portland Port said: "Anything which promotes maritime activity in Dorset is good."

But Weymouth hoteliers warned against holding a new water sports event during carnival week.

Steve Bramwell, manager of the Hotel Rembrant, said: "If we were to hold anything new in Weymouth, we would need more accommodation in Weymouth. It would be a bad idea at the moment."

Kim Evans, owner of the Concorde Hotel on the Esplanade, said: "If it was at carnival time then there would be no room - the town is full up as it is."