SONGS of the sea and tales of the coast will be celebrating the history and heritage of Dorset maritime moments next week.

Harbour Voices - A Night of Music - recounting tales of the past and present from the Dorset coast is coming to Bridport Arts Centre on May 6.

The performance by a 20-strong group of men and women is a heart-warming charming celebration of the sea.

They will be performing traditional shanties and original songs recounting tales of the Dorset coast.

There will be stories of sailors and whalers, boatbuilders and sherwives - giving the audience a glimpse of moments in the lives of those who risked all to make their living from the sea.

The vocal harmonies are set to move and amuse the audience and provide intrigue and inspiration into life at sea and the vital connection of Dorset families to the coast.

Shanties are maritime work songs and were sung to accompany labour on board large merchant sailing vessels.

All shanties have a chorus of some sort to allow the crew to sing all together.

The rhythm of the song served to synchronise the movements of the sailors or to pace the labour as they toiled at repetitive tasks.

Singing helped to alleviate boredom and to lighten, perhaps, the psychological burden of hard work.

Shanties may also be said to have served a social purpose, as to build camaraderie.

n Harbour Voices will perform at Bridport Arts Centre on Friday May 6 at 7.30pm.

Contact the box office for tickets or see the arts centre website to find out more information.