A diverse music and arts festival supporting the Samaritans of Dorset is returning to Weymouth this summer.

Chesil Rocks 2017 promises a wide range of artists, musicians and performers, from alt-pop duos to fiddle driven punk-folk bands.

Tim Warren, co-director of the event, said: “The event is designed to attract people of all ages and over the last five years the festival has developed a reputation for being one of Dorset’s best small events.”

The festival hopes to attract 500 people and will be located at Higher Farmhouse in Langton Herring, which overlooks the sea, on Saturday, June 24. 

Performing will be the WTF Band featuring Robbie Macintosh, the former The Pretenders guitarist, and Mick Taylor, former member of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones.

Also performing will be the London Gay Men’s Chorus, which has performed all over the world, Million Dollar Bash, a Bob Dylan and The Band tribute act and XTalk, an alternative pop duo from Manchester. 

Besides music, there will also be a comedy hour hosted by south west comedian Tom Glover, various activities for kids, a raffle, magicians, clairvoyance, a clothing and jewellery sale, and a treasure hunt. 

Food-wise, the event will have a pizza oven and serve gourmet burgers, meat-free street food and fish alternatives. 

Run by Tim and Hilary Warren and their daughters, with help from volunteers, last year’s Chesil Rocks festival raised £8,000 for the Samaritans of Dorset.

Suicide remains the leading course of death in men under 50 and Mr Warren believes this needs to change.

He said: “Over the years we have raised money for a quarter of their annual budget on average. 

“They receive no government funding and all their money comes from fundraising, so if we can raise some of their budget for them they can spend more time doing what they do best, which is saving people’s lives.” 

Mr Warren encouraged the public to come along, support local and up-and-coming artists and help raise money for a vital charity.

He also appealed for volunteers for this year’s festival.

Jean Lucas, director of Samaritans of Dorset, said: “Chesil Rocks have donated a significant amount of money to our branch.

"Though it is not just the money, it is also the profile they raise for Samaritans of Dorset.”

Tickets for Chesil Rocks 2017 are £15 for adults, £7.50 for 11-16 year-olds, while under 11s go free. Tickets can be purchased at www.chesilrocks.com