MORE than 150 youngsters took part in a day of ‘inspirational’ art workshops at one of Dorset’s most iconic locations.

The pupils took part in a day of workshops at Maiden Castle on Wednesday.

And the project will culminate in a live performance at 7.30pm tomorrow.

The scheme is all part of this year’s Inside Out Dorset festival. The workshops involved 165 pupils from Broadmayne First School, Damers First School, Prince of Wales School, Piddle Valley First School, St Nicholas and St Laurence School and Winterbourne Valley First School.

The children enjoyed art, dance, storytelling and badge making led by experts and artists, including And Now: themselves, Mandy Dike and Ben Rigby.

The workshops included Wayfaring through the Ages run by And Now:; Ridgeway Citizens run by senior archaeologist; Steve Wallis; Ancient Wild Art run by 3D artist Darrel Wakelam; Ridgeway Chalk Art run by artist Sarah Butterworth; and Myths & Legends of the South Dorset Ridgeway run by storyteller Martin Maudsley.

Marie McLeish, learning projects manager at the Dorset AONB, who has been working with the schools for a number of years, said: “The South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership, funded by HLF, is delighted to be collaborating with Inside Out Dorset for its final school festival. 165 schoolchildren took part in Wayfaring and workshops including story making, land dance, ancient flints and art. Set in Maiden Castle it was an inspirational day of outdoor learning and fun.”

Artists have been working on the installation - made from local and found materials - since Monday, and on Saturday, illumination, music and performance will transform it into an intimate celebration. The audience is asked enjoy the event live and keep mobile phones away. The installation promises to be a unique sculpture which audiences can move through, investigate and contribute to.

Visit wayfaring.org.uk for more details.