THE FIRST Bridport Children's Festival will be "jam-packed" full of fun when it launches next week.

The one-day festival of art, music, dance and food will be held on Thursday, July 27, and is for children aged between two and seven years old.

A day-pass, which has been set low in price, covers all workshops including ukulele, yoga, drumming and percussion, puppet making, print-making, expressive painting, healthy food making, ball sports, the Funkee Munkee music group, Dorset Forest School, dance and movement, farming, reading and storytelling.

With a strong arts scene in the Bridport area, the festival has invited local arts professionals to be part of the town's only collaborative children’s arts event. Organisers are hoping the festival will give youngsters the opportunity to discover and try groups that run throughout the year.

Festival director Gabrielle Rabbitts, said: "we imagined the festival to start small this year, but with so many talented artists and workshop leaders offering their skills on the day, we just couldn’t say no.

"Now, the day is going to be jam-packed with exciting things for children, so it really is best to come early to sign up for as many workshops as you like."

The festival has already scooped a prize after being named as the children's event of the West Country this year.

Bridport Children’s Festival has been organised by volunteers and all workshop leaders are also giving their time for free in support of art and education for children. Funds raised by the festival will help to support local children’s groups that run throughout the year, with this year’s money helping Bradpole Pre-School.

The festival will run from 10am until 4pm at the Millennium Green, Tickets, which should be purchased in advance, and programmes, are available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre and by calling 01308 424901.

The festival is still fundraising to cover essential costs with a Crowdfunder project at crowdfunder.co.uk/bridport-childrens-festival