The people of Weymouth got their first taste of the planned Olympic spirit at a weekend of beach shows.

Visitors sat back and marvelled at the 360 degree screen showing films in a dome on Weymouth beach.

They were shown films including screenings of images of Dorset with ambient music played at the same time.

The 12-metre diameter arena, which has a capacity for up to 300 people, is one of 1,000-plus sporting and cultural projects selected to be showcased at the preview weekend, with backing from big names such as Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG).

The event is both a trial for the 2012 Games and a celebration ahead of this Wednesday’s one-year-to-go countdown.

During next year’s Olympic period, a larger version of ICCI 360 arena, will be based at the festival village at the Pavilion site.

The dome houses a large circular screen, high-definition projectors, a 360 surround sound audio system and a performance and presentation area.

James Randell, 19, is getting involved with the cultural Olympiad, so decided to visit the screen on the beach.

James, of Weston, Portland, said: “It’s been really good.

“The Portland film showed the lighthouse and the cliffs and the films are very relaxing.

“I’ve been working for the cultural Olympiad with the Arts Council on the programme for next year.

“I think it will be even better when they’ve got the bigger screen next year.”

Michelle Muggeridge, from West Allington, was with her dad Mark Muggeridge visiting from London.

Michelle, 19, said: “It’s really nice.

“I like the mixture of images and the music.

“It’s very relaxing and not what we expected.”

Her dad Mark said he could have sat in the dome “for hours”.

Mark, 45, said: “It’s brilliant.

“I’ve never seen anything like this and it’s very peaceful.

Alan Rogers, arts development officer for Weymouth and Portland, said: “It’s a wonderful and innovative project.

“It’s fantastic that it’s coming to this area, it’s been to the Royal Society in London, it’s going to be used for the America’s Cup in Plymouth and it is a real coup we’ve got it for six weeks in 2012.”

The dome is being put on by the Innovation for the Creative and Cultural Industries from Plymouth University.

Martin Woolner, director, said the shows on the beach had been a chance to find out what viewers enjoy most ahead of the screen returning during the Olympics.

He said: “It’s been great.

“It’s given us a good example of being here and seeing what the people of Weymouth and Portland want and are interested in.

“It helps us for next year.

“We are very much part of the cultural Olympiad and it really is beginning to come together.

“It’s going to be fantastic with all kinds of things happening.”