Promotional materials have been put up across the city, including in Montjuїc Park near to where the event will take place, as part of an initiative which will last until September 30.

The Barcelona 2013 logo has also appeared on the Montjuїc mountain and 400 banners and posters have been distributed across the city centre to promote next year's event which runs from July 19 to August 4.

The official mascot of the event, Xop (pictured top), which depicts a drop of water resembling a fish, and images of synchronised swimming appear on the posters.

Posters featuring the Championship mascot Xop have been appearing across Barcelona to promote the event

The Catalan capital is hoping to spur renewed interest in swimming across Spain, 10 years after the city last hosted the World Championships.

Barcelona is now beginning its recruitment of event volunteers who can sign up from tomorrow to coincide with the Fiestas de la Mercè, a major saint's festival in the city.

On Sunday (September 16), during the Cursa Popular de la Mercè, one of the most important 10km road races in Barcelona, a special stall will further promote the championships.

Next year's event will take place across four venues: the Palau Sant Jordi, the Bernat Picornell pool, the Moll de la Fusta and the Montjuїc municipal pool.

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