The Christmas Boat Parade is on course to light up Hamilton Harbour tonight after a three-year break.

Denis Owen the organiser of the event and owner of the UberVida charter boat, said that 23 vessels had signed on to take part and global drinks giant Bacardi had donated gift packages for participants.

Mr Owen said: “Everything is progressing really well. The parade route is set. It looks like it’s going to be a go.

“I am super happy with how things have gone. Everyone has been so helpful. People I didn’t even expect to call have gotten in touch to give advice.”

He added that the UberVida was already adorned with some Christmas decorations, but “finishing touches” would be added before the parade.

The festive flotilla will form up in front of the Hamilton Princess at 5.30pm in for a start time of 6pm.

The parade will travel towards Front Street before a loop around White’s Island and run parallel to Harbour Road to Darrell’s Wharf.

The boats will pass Spectacle Island and Reid Island before they return to the Hamilton Princess and retrace the route until 8pm.

Traffic will be affected by the event, with The Lane and part of Harbour Road in Paget limited to single-lane traffic between 6pm and 9pm.

Parking will also be restricted during the event.

It will only be allowed on the northern side of Harbour Road between Manse Road and Lover’s Lane, Paget, with no parking permitted between Highwood Lane and 600ft west of Lover’s Lane, where roadworks are being carried out.

No parking will be allowed on nearby Manse Road, Chapel Road or Cavendish Road.

The Christmas Boat Parade was a biennial tradition, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 event.