The oldest travelling Ferris wheel in the UK is among the big attractions at the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival this Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

Standing 42 metres (137.8ft) high and nearly 100 years old, the Great British Big Wheel is appearing at the flagship event in Gloucester Docks (27-29 May) for the first time.

Today, the wheel was under construction in Mariners' Square in the docks (pictured below).

The wheel will provide visitors with an extraordinary bird's-eye view of the tall ships, the docks and surrounding sights.

The Great British Big Wheel was made by the Eli Bridge Building company in the United States and imported to the UK in 1922, travelling extensively with leading showman Pat Collins.

For 53 years, between 1954 and 2007, the wheel toured successfully with the Lancashire-based Hart family.

After changing hands it was repainted and fitted with a spectacular LED light package by the Great British Funfair.

Jason Smith, CEO of event organisers Marketing Gloucester, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to welcome the Great British Big Wheel to Gloucester on the 10th anniversary of the Tall Ships Festival.

"It's going to provide an opportunity to enjoy some amazing views of the tall ships that are here this weekend and the Gloucester city skyline and beyond.

"I'm sure it's going to prove an extremely popular addition to our line-up of attractions over the three days and, once again, underline Gloucester's growing reputation as a tourist destination."

As well as the Great British Big Wheel, the festival will include a life-saving demonstration by dogs from Newfound Friends, action from the Industry Pro Wakeboard Tour, sword fighting displays from Captain Jack, live music, a vintage fairground and food and drink stalls.

Running alongside, the third Gloucester Shanty Festival will showcase a great line-up of around 30 acclaimed acts performing at various venues around the city centre.

As Gloucester Docks is the best preserved Victorian inland port in the UK, characters from the era will be parading around in distinctive garb during the festival.

Access-all-areas wristbands for the Tall Ships Festival cost £7 and are valid for all three days.

The wristbands will provide entry to all the tall ships taking part, the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum and the National Waterways Museum.

Admission to the festival is free for under-12s accompanied by a paying adult.

The festival, which takes place every two years, attracted record crowds of 120,000 in 2015 and scooped numerous accolades.

Access-all-areas wristbands for the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival are available from www.gloucestertallships.co.uk  and the Gloucester Tourist Information Centre.

Day passes costing £3, which will provide only access to the site, are available at the gate and from the Gloucester Tourist Information Centre.