THE Dorset Echo has been announced as one of the main media partners for this year's Dorset Seafood Festival.

The event will take over Weymouth Harbour for the sixth year to deliver the UK's largest free seafood street food festival.

It is set to bring together celebrity and local chefs, more than 80 food stalls and, for the first time, a collaborative pop-up cinema event of '20,000 Leagues under the Sea' with a DJ and musicians providing the film's soundtrack.

The Echo will play an important role in driving awareness for the event, which takes place on July 13 and 14, across its vast news platforms.

Joining the conviviality will be local chefs Mark Hix, Mat Follas, John Wright, Lesley Waters, Russell Brown and from the south west Richard Bertinet, Matt Cook and Duncan Lucas.

These well known chefs will be demonstrating some of their favourite fish dishes on the festival's famous demonstration stages.

Brian Cooper, seafood festival committee member, said: “We are delighted that the Dorset Echo will once again be one of the main media partners of the Dorset Seafood Festival.

“We are very appreciative of the coverage and awareness that they deliver for this increasingly popular event.”

Money raised from the event will go to chosen charity The Fishermen's Mission.

Last year, more than £12,000 was raised for the cause.

Sponsors include Pommery Champagne, Weird Fish clothing, Roasting Plank and Cono Sur Wines.

For more information about the event visit dorsetseafood.co.uk.