FILM fans and families are set to flock to Dorchester's Borough Gardens for an afternoon and evening of outdoor cinema entertainment.

Youngsters from the county town's youth forum Dorchester Youth Extra (DYE)) have been busy organising the free open air cinema event, which is being held in the gardens on Saturday.

The fun-filled afternoon kicks off at 3pm with music and a free bouncy castle, featuring an inflatable slide for older children.

There will be cinema treats on offer with popcorn and candy floss on sale as well as pizzas and hotdogs.

There will also be a bar for grown ups to enjoy some refreshments.

The first film showing is Big Hero 6, which will be screened at 4pm and will be followed by an interval during which there will be live music from talented young local performers.

The second film, Mamma Mia, will be screened from 7pm.

The event follows on from a successful outdoor cinema screening last year of Finding Nemo and Warhorse.

Emma Scott, community development officer at West Dorset District Council, said that last year's event had been extremely popular and all those were involved were pleased to see it return for another year.

She said: "It is special because it brings people together of all ages and allows us to make full use of the lovely Borough Gardens.”

Anyone wishing to attend the event is urged to come early and bring a blanket or a deckchair and settle in for the afternoon and evening.

The event has been organised by DYE and is being sponsored by Dorchester Town Council.

More information is available on Facebook by searching for 'open air cinema - Dorchester'.

Details are also available from Emma Scott on 01305 252204 or by emailing e.scott@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk It will be a busy day at the gardens as it will be the finishing point for a mass march organised by parents in protest about planned changes to paediatric services at Dorset County Hospital.

The march starts at Top O'Town at 11am and will head down High West Street and through the town centre before ending at the Borough Gardens.

Dorchester mum Naomi Patterson, one of the organisers of the march, said it was deliberately arranged so families could stay on at the gardens for the cinema event.