TELEVISION personality Jodie Kidd has visited Sandbanks to start the countdown to the British Beach Polo Championships.

Four top teams will be competing for the title this year and players include England's Jamie Morrison, South African Polo team captain Selby Williamson, and Welsh team captain Ricky Cooper.

Speaking about the Daily Echo-backed event, model Jodie said: "You simply cannot beat the polo at Sandbanks, it gathers some of the world's top polo players together on a wonderful blue flag beach in July for some exceptional polo, a great party atmosphere and a fashionable crowd dancing to top DJ’s on the beach."

New for Sandbanks this year will be two exhibition matches from The Pony Club. This will include younger players on smaller than usual ponies taking to the arena.

Meanwhile, following on from last year's success The University Challenge match will pit Oxford University against their city rivals Oxford Brookes.

Sandpolo event director Johnny Wheeler said: "We can't wait for the gates to open.We are now in our ninth year and we know that our regular guests will love all the changes we've made this year.

"To those who are visiting for the first time be prepared to be amazed by the high adrenaline action on the polo arena.

"You can't get closer to the polo ponies on any other surface."

Aside from the polo, there will be international women's beach volleyball, with England taking on Poland, and the classic pony versus 4x4 charity race.

This year this race will be raising funds for The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

An event spokesman said: "With a brand new site layout for all the guests to enjoy there will be many who stay on for the evening parties.

"Saturday night will be headlined by Radio One DJ Trevor Nelson and both nights feature an 80s themed disco party running alongside the main entertainment for those who want to go back in time."

This year's British Beach Polo Championships event is scheduled for Sandbanks, Poole, on July 8 & 9.

Visit sandpolo.com for details