BRIDPORT'S first ever children's festival was a sell out success - and organisers are looking a bigger venue for next year.

Festival director Gabby Rabbitts said it had been fantastic to have such a high level of interest in the festival.

She said: "It was incredible, we had families travelling to us from as far as Southampton and Winchester, with tickets selling out before the festival.

"Children aged between two and seven fall between a real gap as they are too young for most clubs or summer activities but too old for baby groups and so to have a festival purely for this age range was unique.

"After such a great response, it may be that we need to move to a larger space next year so that we can accommodate more quality workshops and generate more places for children."

The festival boasted some of Bridport's finest talent including Aimee Symes of Bridport Youth Dance, Sarah Higgins' children's yoga, Kathy Kelly of Fiddlesticks at Monkton Wyld, producer of Flea! Sally Vaughan on ukulele and renowned storyteller Martin Maudsley.

There were also drop-in sessions for children to drift in and out of with Dorset Forest School, Bridport Leisure Centre, Waterstones, Discover Farming and Bridport Local Food Group.

In particular, the music tent was packed all day with Ben Stevens conducting tremendous drum workshops, cooking up terrific but controlled energy. Also, Declan Duffy whipped up a storm of singing and percussion with his energetic Funkee Munkee music group.

The art workshops also proved incredibly popular, in particular, Jo Burlington's Oops...Wow! sessions promoted progressive art for children, dripping paint down canvases and squirting bright paints out of pipettes onto spinning bicycle wheels creating a fun and exciting approach to painting, quite different from conventional art groups.

Parents said they thought having the sessions all in one place worked very well, giving the festival a relaxed feel which encouraged children and parents to try things that they may not have experienced before.

The festival was made possible by the sponsorship of Martin & Co Accountants, Huck Nets, Symondsbury Manor, Groves Nursery, West Dorset District Council and was a Crowdfunder Project.

If you would like to find out more about Bridport Children's Festival please visit its Facebook page.