Thanks to a generous donation Dorchester Arts is striving to expand its offering of children's entertainment.

Although the exact amount is being kept top secret, Mark Tattersall artistic director at Dorchester Arts revealed that the welcomed donation came from the Bunbury Charitable Trust and will help make a significant difference.

Mark said: "We've tried to organise our autumn programme so there is something for just about everyone and children's entertainment is always something we wanted to do more of.

"But it's a difficult one, the tickets have to be cheaper but the production costs the same to put on - so it's finding that balancing act.

"We are really grateful to the funding, and are very keen to make Dorchester Arts a more family-friendly organisation.

"Talking with the Bunbury Charitable Trust, it was just something they felt they wanted to do."

"We also want to do more to work with other events in the town - so for example we are running a workshop for children to come and create their own Christmas lantern which links to Christmas Cracker night.

Next month will see a performance of Murray Lachlan Young: Modern Cautionary Tales for Children.

Murray Lachlan Young will be bounding onto the stage, hair wrapped in a towel and dressing gown flapping.

It will be a mixture of poetry, stand-up comedy, storytelling, a touch of panto, and lots of fun participation and has been organised in conjunction with Dorchester Literary Festival. It will be held on Saturday, October 14 at the Corn Exchange.

Your Toys... On a Big Adventure is another one for children and will be coming to the Corn Exchange on Monday, October 23.

Slot Machine Theatre bring children's real toys to life on stage using their unique style of puppetry, original live music and quirky humour.

Following the success of last year the Frozen singalong will be returning on Monday, December 18

And Wednesday, December 20 will see The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmassness.

Squashbox Theatre’s new family show is a celebration of everything Christmassy, from fir trees, fairy lights, stockings and sleigh bells to cookies, crackers, presents and puddings

Meet a snowman who lives in the fridge, try and spot some naughty elves, hear the tale of the first Christmas Tree, play hunt the brussel sprout and endure the world’s worst Christmas jumper.

To book tickets or for more information visit dorchesterarts.org.uk