FISHGUARD'S cruise ship season begins next month. This year 28 cruise ships are booked to visit the post, bringing a total of 11,500 passengers to the area over a five-month period.

The first ship in this season is the Hanseatic Nature on May 4. The 15,650 tonne German vessel will have around 230 passengers on board.

This will be followed by a further six ships in May including return visits from the Aidavita, Corinthian and the Variety Voyager.

The season ends on September 25 with the MS Rotterdam,

"We are very excited to be entering our third season as Fishguard Bay Welcome alongside our award winning Fishguard Friendly Faces," said a spokesman for FBW.

"Make sure you check in regularly to keep up to date with what's going on this year."

Fishguard Friendly Faces is looking for new volunteers to join its award-winning welcome team. For more information contact Jana, jana@fishguardbaywelcome.org.uk.

The popular home hosting programme will run again this year. This is an innovative scheme sees cruise passengers from the Corinthian visit the host's home for 90 minutes for a light lunch and a chance to find out more about life in the locality.

A bus drops passengers off and picks them up after lunch and all liability rests with the cruise company.

Hosts' expenses generously reimbursed. They are encouraged to lay on a light lunch, it can be sit-down or buffet, with plenty of local produce.

For more information on the home hosting scheme contact Jeremy Martineau an chamber@gofishguard.co.uk.