FOSSIL festival organisers say the nerves are starting to build as the start of Lyme’s biggest ever fossil festival looms.

The fourth Lyme Regis Fossil Festival launches on Friday, May 22 and runs over three days, when thousands of people and hundreds more schoolchildren are expected to flock to the town.

The internationally acclaimed science event – in collaboration with the Natural History Museum – this year takes the theme Evolution Rocks!

Festival director Richard Doney said: “I am lucky to have an enthusiastic team working with me on developing this exciting project. We are all getting quite nervous as the big day looms.

“Although we cannot rely on the weather, we are looking forward to a spectacular event.

“We are looking forward to welcoming a wide range of universities and institutions, alongside a varied programme of performances at the Marine Theatre.”

Friday is schools’ day, when around 500 children will visit, followed by public open days on Saturday and Sunday.

Events will centre around marquees in Theatre Square and the pebble beach, playing host to organisations including the National Museum of Wales, British Antarctic Survey and Natural England.

The town museum will have its own marquee with expert help from Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the Jurassic Coast arts team, plus fossil walks with museum geologist Paddy Howe.

Local artists Christine Alison and Darrell Wakelam will be handling the arts side of things and local fossil collectors will show and discuss their finds.

The National Oceanography Centre’s research vessel Callista will be moored at the harbour, Sotanos tapas restaurant in Broad Street will be the venue for a ‘Café Scientifique’, while the Masonic Hall will host evening talks on Friday and Saturday.

Evening shows are at the Marine Theatre on Friday and Saturday, and entertainment continues all weekend with street theatre.

A free shuttle bus will run between Cobb Gate and the Heritage Coast Centre in Charmouth for events there.

With such a packed programme of events, Mr Doney said support from the town is vital. “I am grateful for the fantastic co-operation that people and businesses in the town have shown, and I am sure the event will enhance the town’s great reputation even further,” he said.

“This year’s festival is another step on the way to the Jurassic Coast earth festival in 2012, as part of the Cultural Olympiad, and will promote the idea that the town is the ideal centre for the study of earth sciences.

“We particularly want to welcome young people to the festival and we will be providing many activities.” A full programme of events is available from the tourist information centre and festival desk in Cobb Gate car park.