PLANS are coming together for the second Dorchester Cider Festival.

The event, which was held in the Borough Gardens for the first time last year, is making a return on Saturday, August 20 due to popular demand.

The free event organised by Dorchester Round Table runs from 3pm to 10pm and will see a range of local ciders on offer as well as food and live music.

Families and well behaved dogs are welcome at the event.

Dorset cider producers making an appearance at the event include Dorset Star, Lulworth Skipper and Dorset Nectar.

There will be more than 65 different tipples on offer, with produces selling ciders and perrys personally so they can discuss the art of making the drinks.

Local cider historian and author Alan Stone will also be on hand to educate and inform along with the Millhouse Cider Museum.

Nick Poole, from the West Milton Cider Company, said: "For many years Powerstock has been Dorset’s only pure cider festival so we are looking forward to a similar event at Dorchester.

"We will be there with our full range of traditional ciders plus our award winning naturally sparkling Lancombe Rising – hopefully it will be warm enough to serve it on ice."

A spokesman for Twisted Cider said: "Twisted Cider are happy to be included in the Dorchester Cider Festival and sit alongside other great producers from around the county brought together through the brilliant organisation of the Dorchester Round Table.”

A Cranborne Chase Cider spokesman added: "We are really excited to be part of the Dorchester Cider festival.

"The event will be a great showcase of what Dorset and the South has to offer!

"The Round Table has brought together some great producers and we hope to see you there!"

Food on offer will include everything from a hog roast and game barbecue to crepes and ice creams.

The bandstand will host live music throughout the event, with local blues artist Danny Adams getting things underway before performances from the likes of The Darwins, Dexeter, The Paper Trains and Skimmity Hitchers.

Younger visitors will be able to enjoy fun and games at the kids zone as organisers hope to offer something for everyone.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Dorchester Round Table and will be distributed to the local causes it supports.