A FAMILY fun day is returning to a village near Dorchester for the sixth time.

Charminster's Family Fun Day will be held on Sunday, July 9 from 12 noon to 5pm.

It will take place at St Mary's First School in Charminster. Entry is free but donations are welcome.

Amomg the highlights of the day will be live music, a Forest School, visiting engines and a digger and a tractor. 

Money will be raised for Charminster Pre-School and St Mary's First School, Charminster.

Organisers say: "Each year we raise the stakes to create an even bigger, more elaborate, fun day than ever before, and this year is set to be our most fantastic yet."

There will be live music from Nathan Jon-Snell and Koast, creating a wonderful atmosphere throughout the whole day, along with some exciting dance shows from Twirl Academy and The Dance Studio.

There will also be an exciting appearance from children's entertainer Strawberry Jam, who never fails to entertain the children and get them laughing.

The Forest School area will be open with marshmallow toasting on an open fire for children (and adults). There will also be the chance to make clay models and decorate pebbles to take home as a reminder of the day.

There will be a fire engine, miniature traction engine, digger and mini tractor on site, all making for wonderful photo opportunities with family and friends.

The fun day will also have an animal area, supplied by The Ranch, Weymouth. Look out for Burmese pythons, corn snakes, a sand boa, a blue tongued skink, a bearded dragon, iguanas, tortoise, along with goats, which can all be fed and stroked.

Geared towards the adventurous and to tire the children out, there will be bungee trampolines and inflatable slide and bouncy castle.

There will be a great variation of stalls on the day, organisers say, from crafts, photography, and wildlife to games.

The bar area will have an abundance of hay-bales to relax on whilst people can enjoy the many refreshments, food and ice cream on offer and listen to the live music.

Raffle tickets willbe available to purchase on the day and be in with a chance of winning a TV, pressure washer, family tickets to Farmer Palmers. Vurlands Animal Fark, Corfe Castle, Abbotsbury Swannery and Lulworth Castle, along with many more prizes.

Organisers say: "We know that you will most certainly have a fantastic day out, making memories that will last you a lifetime.

"So join us on Sunday, July 9 12pm to 5pm free entry for all, to help us make the day a ‘spectacular success!’"