THE SOLD OUT Chesil Rocks festival has raised more than £10,000 for charity.

The music and arts festival last month was supporting Samaritans of Dorset and all 500 tickets were sold.

Taking place at Higher Farm House, Langton Herring, proceeds were up 20 percent on 2014. This was the third successive year that the festival managed to sell all of its tickets.

Tickets sales managed to raise more than £11,500.

The festival organisers hope to be able to provide something for everyone, no matter what their taste in music, comedy, theatre, storytelling and poetry which are all performed across four stages throughout the weekend.

Even children were catered for, with face painting, fossil paining, a play area and a treasure hunt.

Hilary Warren, event host, wanted to thank everyone who helped make the event possible.

She said: “We are extremely grateful to our organising committee members, David Webb, Jean Lucas and Di Gilliver from the Samaritans; John and Julie Mason, Stuart Bainbridge and Lesley Balmer from Portesham and to all our family, volunteer helpers from Langton Herring and the Portesham Volunteers, the village hall from Langton Herring and to the Chesil Scout Group.”

“We are also greatly indebted to our many sponsors and for the wonderful donations of great raffle prizes, but in particular to Magna Housing Association, Poundbury Dental Practice, Atlantic Audio, John Richards, A.J. Wakely & Sons, Vivid Commercial Interiors, Weyscaff Ltd and to JELF Insurance.”

Hilary and husband Tim wanted to extend a special thanks to local farmer Robert Mayo for allowing people to park on his land and the residents of the village for allowing to have the event over the last four years.

The Samaritans of Dorset described the money as an ‘incredible boost’ for their work with distressed callers.

As well as the various performances, there was a chance for people to show off their photography skills with the Chesil Rocks Photography Competition, which was won by Ross Gooding.

Music across four stages ranged from Ska by Imperial Leisure, singer songwriters including Ian Sedwell and Jess Vincent and rock choir ‘Till There Was Uke’. Comedy came from Tom Glover and Tony Cowards whilst there were theatre performances from the New Hardy Players.