EXCITEMENT is building ahead of a midsummer festival of music and family fun.

Chesil Rocks, organised by Tim and Hilary Warren and held on their land at Langton Herring, supports Samaritans of Dorset.

This will be the eighth year it has been held, and for the first time it will be held over two days instead of the usual one.

For the 'prelude' evening event on Friday, June 21 it is a session devoted to classical music. Visitors will be entertained by pianist Duncan Honeybourne, opera singer Stella Brading and the Tumlyn Brass Quintet, all based in Dorset.

The main day is on Saturday, June 22 there are a range of performers including Gaz Brookfield, the London Gay Men's Chorus, Amy Mayes, Jess Upton and the Guilty Pleasures, Hustle, Sarah de Warren, the Leggomen and the Wessex Musical Theatre.

There will also be a children's play area, kids' yoga and crafts, storytellers, face painting, a magician, and more.

Tickets are now on sale priced at £25 each for the Friday session to include a glass of Prosecco on arrival and a light supper courtesy of Wagamama. Those attending are asked to respect a smart dress/black tie dress code.

There are just 100 tickets available and can be purchased by contacting organisers via email to chesilrocks@gmail.com

Organiser Hilary Warren said: “We are really excited about our evening of classical music and are very grateful to all those who are helping to bring this to fruition.”

Tickets for the Saturday event are priced at £20 for an adult, £10 for a young person and free for children and can be purchased via the website at chesilrocks.com or from Bellenies Cafe in Abbotsbury, the Kings Arms in Portesham, the Elm Tree Inn at Langton Herring, the Lugger in Chickerell, the Market House Tavern in Weymouth or from Dorchester or Bridport Tourist Information Centres. Proceeds from both events will go to Samaritans of Dorset – Chesil Rocks has established itself as the leading fundraiser for the organisation, helping to raise a sizeable chunk of its annual budget.

A number of people have already volunteered to help and organisers would love to hear from anyone able to assist on either day. Those interested should contact organisers at chesilrocks@gmail.com