Today marks the launch of the Thomas Hardy Festival and Conference and the next week is a jam-packed scheduled.

Delegates from around the world will be descending on Dorchester as part of the Thomas Hardy Society's 50th Anniversary Festival and International Conference - and there will even be an appearance from a very famous actor.

The event combines academic studies directed by professor Jane Thomas alongside a programme of entertainment, music and walks organised by the society's secretary, Mike Nixon.

In keeping with the spirit of the 1968 Thomas Hardy Festival, the first two days of this year's event - today and tomorrow -will be held at Kingston Maurward College.

Following that the event will move to the United Church on South Street.

The celebrations will official launch at the college tonight at 7pm where there will be a reception and dinner for delegates and guests.

It will be followed by a performance by The Wessex Consort.

Tomorrow will see the return of the ever-popular Country Fair from 12pm onwards.

There will be a coach trip to St Juliot in Cornwall with Dr T Fincham and Professor J Thomas and a morning service at Stinsford Church.

As the weeks continue there will be a variety of walks, talks and tours.

On Saturday, July 21 actor Terence Stamp - known for his role in Far From the Madding Crowd -will be the closing speaker of the festival and conference.

The talk will be held at the United Church at 11am.

View the full programme here.