IT'S up, up and away for a fantastic bank holiday weekend - just don't forget your umbrella.

Weymouth's Kite Festival, which launches today, kicks off a three day weekend of family events.

Organisers of the charity-supporting festival are hoping however it's not a complete washout as rain is forecast for this afternoon and on Monday.

Today sees practice flying on the beach before two days of the competition and displays. Stalls will be set up on the seafront and there will be a food village near the Pavilion.

Trophies will be presented at festival HQ - the double decker bus parked on the seafront - at 3.30pm on Monday.

This is the second year the event is organised by the Community Kite Group, which stepped in to save the festival after Weymouth and Portland Borough Council withdrew financial support.

Today will also see daredevils take a leap of faith as a giant crane is positioned on the Esplanade for a bungee jump.

Festival organiser Michael McManus said: "It's fingers crossed it stays dry.

"It will go ahead but we will have to have a rethink on the kite flying if it's heavy rain."

This weekend also sees another county favourite take place - Dorset Knob Throwing incorporating Frome Valley Food Festival at Cattistock.

Thousands of people are expected at the quirky event tomorrow which sees participants throwing the locally-made biscuits as far as possible.

Glasses are being raised to toast the Upwey Beer festival which continues at the Royal Standard pub today, tomorrow and Monday.

Raising money for Julia's House, the event features 25 real ales and ciders and live music across the weekend.

Live music can also be found on Weymouth harbourside tomorrow as Tea on the Quay returns with more than seven hours of sounds on the outdoor stage before it switches inside to the Rendezvous.

The event is dedicated to the memory of Weymouth musician Tom Caulfield - see story on page nine of today's Echo.

In west Dorset the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is taking place, which includes walks, talks theatre, music, comedy, exhibits and lots of hands-on science for all ages.

This year visitors are invited to help celebrate the 10th anniversary as the festival explores ‘Mapping the Earth’, to join in the UK-wide celebrations marking the 200th Anniversary of the publication of William Smith’s geological map – the first in the world.