It's set to be a bumper bank holiday with a host of events lined up for the long weekend - but you might want to keep your umbrella handy.

Visitors and residents will be spoilt for choice with the programme of sporting, musical and family friendly events on offer, and it's hoped that the planned wet weather and thunderstorms won't stop anyone from taking part.

Today sees the return of the annual Fayre in the Square which will bring live music, street food and entertainment to Hope Square and the harbourside in Weymouth - all for free.

Dennis Corbett, of organisers the Rotary Club of Weymouth said: "We don't let the bad weather affect us. Last year we had a sprinkling of rain on the Sunday and everyone put their umbrellas up and carried on.

"The stages are ready for tomorrow where we'll have bands and groups playing, we'll have over 40 stalls and around 10,000 free programmes, although donations will be welcome so we can keep providing them.

"If there is a shower, people can go into Pilgrim House were we will have plenty of food, games for the kids and drinks."

Music will kick off on the big stage with a performance from the Dorset Wrecks at 10.30am on Saturday, followed by Dorset for Singing, Ed Hintze, Shindigg, Rock Apes, Tequila Mockingbird, Hustle, Danny Adams and finishing with the Average Wyke Band at 5.15pm. Music will continue on the Sunday.

As well as Fayre in the Square, the Quayside Music Festival organised by Rendezvous pub will make the harbour come alive with the sound of music over the bank holiday.

A jam-packed line up will see bands keep visitors entertained throughout the weekend, with outside bars selling food and drink throughout the day.

There will be plenty more musical events happening over the weekend as listed in the Echo Gig Guide.

Hundreds of runners will lace up their trainers tomorrow for the Dorchester marathon and Casterbridge half marathon.

The event, which is in its second year, will take runners around the Dorset countryside, including through Dorchester and its surrounding villages.

Visit dorchestermarathon.co.uk for information on road closures.

Pirates will take over West Bay tomorrow (27) for the annual Pirates Day, where people are urged to come dressed to impress as their favourite characters.

Fun and games such as Splat the Rat and Walk the Plank will keep visitors entertained and cakes and teas will be available in the Salt House.

And for art lovers, Dorset Art Weeks begins today (26) and continues until June 10 with art studios opening their doors across the county. Visit dorsetartweeks.co.uk for a full list of locations.

RESIDENTS and visitors could be hit by power cuts and flooded roads as Dorset prepares for heavy showers and thunderstorms.

The Met Office has released a yellow, meaning be aware, warning for rain this bank holiday weekend for the whole of the south of the country.

It is in force between 6am today (26) until midnight on Sunday (27).

A Met Office spokesman said: "There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds

"There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life.

"Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

"There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost."

Drivers have been warned conditions could be difficult and lead to some road closures and there is a small chance some communities could become cut off by flooded roads.

The Met Office's chief forecaster said: "Isolated thunderstorms later this afternoon and early evening could give as much as 20 to 30 mm of rain in an hour before slowly dying out during the late evening.

"As is often the case when thunderstorms are forecast, many areas will miss the storms. However where they do occur, torrential rain is quite likely, and with hail in a few places."