A BIRTHDAY bash for 13,000 people was held in honour of a community milestone in Weymouth.

Residents of Westham partied at the weekend to mark 125 years since town planners came up with the district name.

Stalls and sports games took over the playing field at Conifers Primary School during the afternoon and music was staged for the evening's festivities.

Crowds were kept cool by The Rock pub's beer tent, which served refreshments throughout sets by The Speedway Snails and a band from Budmouth College of Technology.

Other activities for visitors included a classic car display, a taekwondo demonstration, a community play and a photo display detailing Westham's history.

Guests of honour during the celebrations were the residents themselves - proceedings were kicked off by former councillor Andy Hutchings and the newly-crowned Westham Princess and Mini Miss.

A special certificate was given to the resident who has lived in the area the longest, while former residents returned to the area from other parts of Dorset and joined in the celebrations.

Chris Edwards, who set up the Westham 125 organising committee, said the party was the culmination of months of hard work.

He added: "It was a good day and really a day that Westham could be proud of. We have 13,000 people living here and we wanted to do something for all of them."