CROWDS in Weymouth town centre have been treated to a lively variety of song and dance at a charity festival.

The Out Loud Festival, organised by Weymouth and Portland Lions Club and sponsored by the Weymouth BID, set up in four spots around the town this afternoon for the two-day fundraising celebrations.

Acts such as the Weymouth Accordions, dance troop Quay Theatre Arts, shanty singers Dorset Wrecks and singer Darron Gamett were among those entertaining shoppers and revellers who had come down especially for the event.

Members and supporters of the Lions Club were out in force collecting donations for the charitable organisation.

Norman Apps, a committee member at the club, said: "We are raising money here to spend on projects and causes in the local community.

"A lot of the work we do is confidential because they are cases of individual hardship that are referred to us, so a great deal of effort goes on behind the scenes.

"We are building on last year's success and hopefully we will have our fifth stage open tomorrow.

"This is one of the major fundraising events the Lions Club does throughout the year."

Sunday will see the festivities continue around the town in New Bond Street, St Mary Street and St Thomas Street.

Mr Apps added: "Come down to the town centre and enjoy the entertainment that's being provided free of charge. 

"All we ask is for you to make a small donation to our charities."

Simon Terry and his son Joshua were out on Saturday afternoon watching Darron Garnett perform in New Bond Street.

He said: "We knew it was on so we thought we would come down and have a look really as we live close by."

Jill and George Beckett came to Weymouth on holiday from the Midlands.

Mrs Beckett said: "I wish they had things like this at home, it's marvellous.

"We came down for Veterans' Weekend and have been to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the Pavillion which was fantastic.

"We came to Weymouth last year and booked for this year then, now we've booked a holiday to come back again next year."

Weymouth and Portland's mayor, Richard Kosior said: "It's just an excellent day out.

"It's nice to see the Lions raising money for lots of charities.

"We appreciate that people don't have an awful lot of money at the moment but lots of little donations do add up to make a big difference.

"In a nutshell: we're loving it."

To find out more about the festival and see a full line up, visit the Lions' website weymouthlionsclub.co.uk/ or their Facebook page.