HIGH-FLYERS have been busy putting the finishing touches to their kites in readiness for the first major festival of the summer.

Kites are set to soar over Weymouth as the resort hosts the International Beach Kite Festival over the forthcoming bank holiday weekend.

And the skies will light up on Sunday when a firework display is held in Weymouth Bay.

Schoolchildren have been getting in the mood by taking part in kite-making workshops at the Pavilion organised by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

The RSPB is sponsoring the workshops so birds were a popular design for the kites.

Chickerell-based enthusiast Mary Bates, a member of Avon Kite Flyers, helped the children with their designs and explained how kites were first flown in China.

Children from Westfield Technology College were busy on their kites when the mayor and mayoress of Weymouth and Portland Howard Legg and Patricia De Jonge popped in.

Youngsters also got a sneak preview of a new sports event which kicks off on the beach later this month.

Windsurfing, football, surf lifesaving with the RNLI and gig rowing are among the activities on offer at the Sea and Beach Fest.

Various businesses will offer the watersports and beach activities at the event which is a collaboration between Weymouth College, Active Dorset and the county and borough councils.

The college's sports development officer Ben Heath said the festival will be an opportunity for young people to try out a range of new sports at an affordable cost. If it proves popular it could become an annual event.

The kite festival is this Sunday, May 6, and Monday. The fireworks start at 9.30pm on Sunday.

The Weymouth Sea and Beach Fest is on Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, between 10am-4pm. It costs £2 for the whole day and is for young people aged 11 to 18.