Outraged sailors will gather this weekend at Mistley on the River Stour, Essex to demand an Alactraz-style fence be removed from the ancient quay. For 300 years sailors have stepped ashore at this old stone quay as sailing ships came in to discharge malt, cereals and timber.

The last trading sailing ship was the spritty barge Cambria, back in 1970, since then the tradition has been kept up with visiting yachtsmen slaking their thirts at the excellent Thorn pub.

Now the quay has been fenced off , reportedly for Health & Safety reasons.

Anyone wanting to join in should call 07831 525233, or ptk.elliston@btinternet.com