YOUNGSTERS had smiles on their faces as crowds descended on a popular youth festival in Dorchester.

The Anonymous Festival at Maumbury Rings proved to be a success once again this year as youngsters listened to music and enjoyed a host of activities.

The festival, held between midday and 7pm on Saturday, is organised by young people from the county town, and this year there were more musical performances and more activities than ever.

Co-ordinator Emma Scott said: “It was a fantastic day, everyone had a good time. It gets bigger and better every year.

“It was really lovely to see people arriving at noon for the first of the bands, and they all had picnics and deckchairs and really settled in for the day, which is great.

“We were lucky with the weather, but I’m proud of the festival.

“It’s organised by young people in Dorchester, who have done all the fundraising and put it altogether, and we had more young volunteers than ever, with around 30 running about helping with the activities.”

As part of the festival, there were two musical stages, with nine on the main stage and another 16 on the open mic stage.

There was a host of stalls plus other activities such as a bungee run, slack lines, graffiti workshops, a photo booth, a circus show and much more.

Although the main focus of the event was for the youngsters to have fun, there was also a variety of stalls where they could seek advice or support.

Emma added: “Everyone had fun, but there is a serious side to the festival as well, where the youngsters can get advice and support if they need it.

“It’s about taking the advice and support to the youngsters and seeing if they need it.

“We had some youngsters go up to the stalls and get advice and support who probably wouldn’t normally be able to get it, but the stalls are run with fun so there is no stigma attached to going to them. I’d just like to say thank you to Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner, West Dorset District Council and Dorchester Town Council who all helped fund and support the event.”