THOMAS Hardy enthusiasts are set to descend on Dorchester as the 175th anniversary of the writer's birth is celebrated in the town.

The Thomas Hardy Society has organised a series of events for its traditional birthday weekend celebrations on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 and this year will have extra significance.

With the 175th commemoration of the Dorchester writer's birth and the recent release of the Far From the Madding Crowd Film, interest in Hardy is at an all time high.

The weekend events will begin with a Junetide Walk through the heart of Hardy's landscape.

Tony Fincham will lead the walk, which sets off from the Thorncombe Wood car park at Higher Bockhampton from 10am and takes in Piddleton Heath and Yalbury Wood before returning to the Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre, where lunch is available.

From 3.30pm a birthday lecture at the Dorford Centre will see author Dr Marion Dell exploring the relationship between Hardy and Virginia Wold.

Hardy society secretary Mike Nixon said: "One very early connection was Virginia's father, Leslie Stephens, gave Hardy a great boost when agreed to publish Far From the Madding Crowd in 1874.

"Now of course a film with very positive reviews and well worth seeing!"

Following tea at the Dorford Centre there will be the traditional wreath laying ceremony at Hardy's statue at Top O'Town from 5.30pm.

The event will be attended by town councillors and Mayor of Dorchester Robin Potter and will be followed by a performance from the New Hardy Players taken from their new production of Return of the Native.

A wreath will also be laid at the statue of William Barnes in the town centre before Hardy's former home at Max Gate holds a 175th birthday party from 6pm.

Mr Nixon said: "Marking this special event at Hardy's home for the last 40 years of his life will be poetry readings, songs and music provided by Tim Laycock and Colin Thompson with poetry readings by Furse Swann, Bernard Palmer and Helen Lange amongst others.

"There are still a few tickets left and they are £20 for a two-course meal, a glass of wine and entertainment."

On the Sunday there will be a morning service at St Michael's Church in Stinsford from 10am, followed by a wreath laying at Hardy's grave.

For tickets to the birthday party of the lecture visit hardysociety.org or call 01305 251501.