SAMBA rhythms rang out around Dorchester as woman and men marched to raise awareness of domestic violence.

The Reclaim the Night event, which aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and abuse, had its most successful year ever with more people than ever before turning out for the drum procession and charity auction.

Run by WAND (Women's Action Network Dorset), this year's event on Saturday night saw men invited to join in too. The date was chosen to link with International End Violence Against Women Day.

Statistics from charity Women's Aid show that 1 in 4 woman and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic violence and on average, two women a week will be killed by a violent partner or ex-partner.

Community development officer with West Dorset District Council Emma Scott wis among the organisers.

She said: “It went really well. It was our best attended Reclaim the Night ever. There were about 50 people there. A few men came along to support us too, which was really nice.

“Although the event is focused on ending domestic violence against women, obviously there are a lot of men out there that would like to support that.”

She added: “It was a fantastic night. We have had bad luck with the weather the last couple of years but Saturday was mild.

“It was a really positive experience.”

The group spent time learning some Samba tunes on the drums at a workshop before heading out into the streets of the county town.

Mrs Scott said that it was a 'very empowering feeling' to be on the march.

Following the march, the group returned to the Corn Exchange for the auction, which included prizes like food hampers, tickets to various attractions in the town and a cheese hamper from Ford Farm in Litton Cheney.

The Farm also generously donated 18 tickets to Wookey Hole's Santa Land in Somerset.

The tickets will be given to the mums and children at the West Dorset Women's Refuge so they can have a day out.