TOLPUDDLE Martyrs' Festival will once again be remembering the Dorset farm labourers who formed the first trade union.

The annual event is taking place from Wednesday, July 11 to Sunday, July 15.

It will remember how on February 24, 1834, six farm labourers from Tolpuddle were arrested on a charge of taking part in an 'illegal oath' ceremony.

In the eyes of their masters, the real offence was that they had dared to form a trade union to defend their livelihood, and for this they were sentenced to seven years' transportation to the penal colonies of Australia.

The sentences provoked an immense outcry, leading to the first great mass trade union protest.

The campaign won free pardons and the martyrs returned to England - a historic episode in the struggle for trade unionists' rights in Great Britain.

The festival encompasses music, poetry, speeches, stalls and creative workshops, and includes environmental debate at the Tolpuddle Green Camp from next Wednesday.

On the Friday Dorset ceilidh band Up and Running will kick-start the festival with jigs, reels and dances, and guest performances by fiddlers Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll.

Saturday will see open mic sessions, a poetry corner and library, and a performance of Shelley's angry protest The Mask of Anarchy. Children can enjoy a flag-making workshop all weekend to take part in Sunday's procession, storytelling and drumming workshops, a bouncy castle, games and mask-making. In the martyrs marquee there will be music from Julian Gaskell and the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, the Baghdaddies, eight-piece a capella female group Hoovering The Heavens, The Dolmen, Pressgang, and Bob Marley-inspired band Lion Train, among others. Activist comedian Mark Thomas is also taking part.

Pupils from St Mary's Puddletown School will perform songs on the martyrs' struggle, and there will be wreath-laying on the grave of James Hammett.

Rock band Chumbawamba will also feature on the main stage, along with talks from TUC president Alison Shepherd, TGWU general secretary Tony Woodley, Brendan Barber, and Tony Benn. The programme will end with folk legend Billy Bragg.

Parking is free with camping tickets, £5 per car per day or a £10 weekend pass.

For event times visit www.tuc.org.uk