FOLK musicians and dancers from around the country are bringing colour and tradition to the streets of Swanage this weekend.

A programme of concerts starts off with an appearance by the Bill Jones Trio supported by Legacy on Friday in the festival marquee on Sandpit Field.

On Saturday a parade of 40 different dance sides from Slovakian to Border Morris will set off from Prince Albert Gardens at 2.30pm, threading through town to the seafront.

There will be dance displays all day from 10am to 4.30pm as well as bands and workshops at various venues throughout the weekend.

Sandpit Field hosts a colourful craft fair and children's events and there will be three concerts in the parish church, from Hard-core Fluff, the New Scorpion Band and Roots Quartet.

On Saturday night there is a chance to see the Lucy Lastic Band in the festival marquee. This punchy folk and ceilidh band is a four-piece from mid Devon with Jon Palmer on guitar, Jane Lewis on accordion, Susan Heard on percussion and Richard Whiteside on fiddle.

The weekend also features a double bill at Swanage Middle School on Saturday night by the Fraser Sisters, with Jo Freya on saxes and her sister Fi Fraser, and virtuoso musicians Pauline Cato and Tom McConville.

Festival tickets can be purchased at Swanage tourist information centre, Shore Road, tel 01929 422885 or for more information about the festival visit the official website www.swanagefestival .co.uk