A VICAR and a musician are encouraging churches around the county to host more live music events.

West Dorset District Council's community music developer, Tom Hopkins, has joined forces with the Rev Deborah Smith, rector of the parish of Wyke Regis, to promote the programme.

Mr Hopkins' help was initially enlisted by the Dorset Arts Advisory Group but the idea to use churches as music venues was raised at a county meeting of the National Federation of Music Societies.

Mr Hopkins, an amateur guitarist, singer and keyboard player, said: "Shortly after being appointed community music developer, I began identifying locations and venues across the county where adults already gather to make music or places which might be suitable for doing so.

"Then, at a Dorset meeting of the National Federation of Music Societies, members raised the possibility of making greater use of churches, both for singing and playing sacred music.

"The members enlisted my help to publicise their request for contact with church ministers and officials who would be willing, with the blessing of their congregations, to offer space within their churches for music-making."

Mr Hopkins enlisted Mrs Smith's help to find suitable churches in the county after she previously expressed a desire to help set up live music events.

These events may eventually include performances at All Saints' Church in Wyke Regis.

Anyone interested in helping Mr Hopkins and Mrs Smith can contact him on 01305 252250 or by e-mail communitymusic @westdorset-dc.gov.uk More information about community music in Dorset can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com/artsandculture