Some of the world’s top volleyball players will be serving up a storm in Margate this weekend, as the stars of the Volleyball England Beach Tour return to action on the Main Sands.

The 2008 Margate Open is the fourth event on this year’s tour, which also takes in seaside favourites including Skegness, Weymouth and Great Yarmouth.

Competitors will be volleying for victory between 9am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, with men’s and women’s doubles matches being held on four international standard courts.

Spectators can enjoy the action free of charge in special viewing areas, with expert commentary about the games.

Cllr Jo Gideon, the cabinet member for health and communities at Thanet council, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the Volleyball England Beach Tour back to Margate and it should provide some superb sporting action for people to come along and watch.”

Margate will also host Volleyball England’s under 21s selection tournament on Sunday, with the winners going onto represent Great Britain at the 2008 SWATCH FIVB World Junior Championships in Brighton in September.

Meanwhile, youngsters from across Thanet are involved in a schools’ day on Friday, with experts on hand to offer coaching.

Margate has already been selected as a pre-Olympic training camp for beach volleyball teams ahead of the 2012 Games.