THE shoreline around Plymouth will be abuzz with activity when the city becomes the focus for a new scheme to connect people to the marine environment.

International yachting champion Conrad Humphreys is heading up a host of elite ambassadors to encourage as many people as possible to take part in a sport along a mile of the coast.

The Blue Mile will turn Plymouth Sound into a playground for swimming, surfing, rowing and paddle-boarding, as part of a campaign which aims to promote a better understanding of the problems facing the seas by getting people into the waves.

Sand will be brought in to create a beach on Plymouth Hoe, where a "Blue Village" will host a series of games, as well as learning and activity zones.

Mr Humphreys, a triple round-the-world sailor, is managing director of Sport Environment, which is running the event in conjunction with Plymouth City Council and Team South West, part of the Regional Development Agency.

He said: "I'm delighted that we have been joined by so many leaders who share the common belief that sport can be a fantastic catalyst for social change. The Blue Mile is a simple event designed to encourage participation in, and care for, our natural environment."

The Blue Mile, which is supported by the Western Morning News, will be launched at the Mayflower Steps today, and the event will take place over a weekend next summer.

Sam Davies, Blue ambassador and Vendee Globe sailor, will take part in the launch, along with freediving world record holder Sara Campbell and Olympic windsurfing medallist Bryony Shaw.

Mr Davies said: "I sailed out of Plymouth harbour when I began the Transat race last year and the atmosphere was electric.

"I'm looking forward to being a part of the Blue Mile next year and seeing the public engaging with the blue environment that has taken me around the world so many times."

Plymouth City Council leader Vivien Pengelly said she was "thrilled" at Plymouth hosting the first Blue Mile. "As a city boasting one of the world's most spectacular natural harbours, there could be no better starting point for one of our most important races to date – the race to protect our oceans and natural environment.

"I fully intend to take the plunge myself and urge as many Plymothians as possible to join me in rising to the challenge of completing a mile – either on the water, in it or alongside it."

Organisers hope next year's event will be the first of many. To find out how to get involved, visit www.thebluemile.org