CELEBRATE Bridport's heritage with a programme of special events this spring.

Bridport Museum is hoping to bring the community together when it hosts the town's first ever season of heritage after securing Lottery funding. Organisers will run a programme of events and activities in May and June.

Bridport Museum curator, Emily Hicks, said: “This is going to be a great year for heritage and culture in Bridport.

"The museum and the LSI will be opening after their major redevelopments, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy and explore their heritage in exciting new ways. We would love all local groups and organisations to come on board.

"Perhaps you are already doing something with a heritage theme or maybe you could organise your own heritage themed event - get in touch and tell us your idea. We will be putting together some great marketing and publicity for the season and your event could be part of this exciting town wide programme”.

Organised by a committee of local volunteers, the season of heritage has received more than £8,000 of Lottery funding through the community scheme, Celebrate.

Crystal Johnson, event organiser, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been successful in our application to Celebrate.

"This funding will enable us to create an exhibition in the town hall looking at the rope and net industry in the local area, with professionally produced boards that will be available for local villages and groups to borrow in the future. We will also be organising puppet making workshops which will result in an amazing large scale walking parade through the town centre, celebrating the unique character of Bridport.

"In addition, we are now able to produce a full programme of events and activities and properly promote all the opportunities for people to get involved”.

At the heart of the programme will be the popular Ropewalk Fair, which will return to the Millennium Green on Sunday, May 14. Displays from local net making companies will include rope and net making demonstrations, along with the highly competitive tug of war, local food and entertainment. As part of the programme several local netting companies will again be opening their doors for the very popular behind the scenes tours, and there will be more historic guided walks through the town.

Anyone organising an event or activity that could be promoted in the programme should contact Emily Hicks before Friday, March 10. The team is also looking for volunteers to help with various events. For more information, call 01308 458703 or email curator@bridportmuseum.co.uk