THE lively sound of folk music will be coming from Weymouth harbourside this weekend.

The annual Wessex Folk Festival starts today and continues until Sunday.

It takes place around the harbourside and Hope Square area of Weymouth.

The festival warms up this evening with live folk music in the Kings Arms and Sailors Return and then really gets going on Saturday morning at 10am.

Over Saturday and Sunday there will be two stages with live (free) music, traditional music sessions in local pubs, a ceilidh in Hope Square, food and craft stalls alongside the harbourside and traditional dancing in the streets of Weymouth.

There is also one special ticketed evening concert put on during the festival.

This year it is Reg Meuross, who has chosen to launch his latest album at the festival. He will be supported by Jess Vincent.

Tickets are available from the Weymouth Pavilion box office or on Saturday, from the festival’s information stand in Hope Square.

Sunday on the Small Stage will see The Unprepared Jug Band performing. This stage is where music and dance will be brought together to entertain everyone.

This year they are joined on stage by Moonshine, one of the best Appalachian dance sides in the country, La Rooster who are a new (old) duo and Weymouth Ukuleleans bringing their own style to the famous uke!

Musicians and bands performing are the Wight Hot Pipes, Shadrack Tye, Fabien Holland, JC and Angelina, Alex Roberts, Lazibyrd, Bow Legged Skeeters, Darren Hodge, Megan Linford, Jesters, Joe Butcher, Victorian Barbers, The Flowing, The Grimaldi Band, Dorset Wrecks, Alan Kirkpatrick and John Shaw, Stonedonkey Pilots, Ange Hardy, Gas Brookfield, Devils Rejects, Wild Rover, Unprepared Jug Band, Moonshine, La Rooster and the Weymouth Ukuleleans.

Programmes cost £2 and can be bought from participating pubs, at the Pavilion box office, or from our stewards during the festival.

More information about the festival is available at wessexfolk.co.uk