HUNTING for fossils, revelations about the role of science in Olympic Sailing and an orchestra telling the story of Dorset are among the offerings this May.

Residents and visitors are being invited to get involved in the Maritime Mix, Cultural Olympiad by the Sea events, which are building momentum ahead of the Games.

Starting on Friday, a lifesize Jurassic sea lizard called Horace is set to tour the Dorset and Devon coast until August 18.

Dubbed the Travelling Pliosaur Cinema, audiences are invited into his cavernous belly to go on a cinematic journey with performing professors and fact-filled family fun.

Horace is part of Jurassic Coast Earth Festival from May 4 to September 9.

This weekend’s Lyme Regis Fossil Festival will offer talks, fossil-hunting walks on the beach, performances from poets, artists, musicians and actors, plus family activities with scientists from the Natural History Museum and the British Antarctic Survey team.

The Olympianist cliff-top piano performance will be held on Portland on May 12.

Musician Anthony Hewitt will cycle 70 to 120 miles a day for three weeks with a piano in tow, performing 21 concerts to raise money for music and children’s charities.

On Friday, May 18 and Saturday 19, The Chalk Legends’ concert at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy will reveal the forgotten world of Dorset, told by more than 300 local people, including school children. Inspired by the London 2012 Games, Bourne-mouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and partners will celebrate Dorset’s memorable year with music, dance and multi-media performances.

The public are also invited to register for free tickets to Cutting Edge 2012: Behind Sailing, at the sailing academy on May 24 from 7pm.

Academy chief executive John Tweed said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming two international renowned organ- isations, the BSO and the Royal Institution.

“There’s an awful lot of stuff happening off the water.”

For Chalk Legends tickets, visit chalklegends.com To book a place at Cutting Edge 2012: Behind sailing, visit rigb.org/cuttingedge2012

Creative programme

THE Maritime Mix, London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea, is an ambitious creative programme of over 80 events set to animate Weymouth, Portland and the Jurassic Coast.

Other May attractions will include the 26 and 27 Bones project, which celebrates artists who primarily use their feet and hands to create masterpieces with live public performances at the Salt House, West Bay on May 26 and 27.

Meanwhile the Plastics for Gold exhibition at the Arts University College Bournemouth from May 24 until November 10 will celebrate all things plastic within the sporting world.

Visit maritimemix2012.co.uk