Artists from Bridport and West Dorset are being invited to take part in the next Bridport Open Studios event taking place this summer.

Now in its 15th year, Bridport and West Dorset Open Studios features more than 100 artists who open up their studios, galleries and homes to the art-loving public.

The event to be held over the August Bank Holiday weekend from August 24 to 26, covers an area including Bridport, Beaminster, Charmouth, Abbotsbury, Maiden Newton and the surrounding villages.

Organisers say they are expecting a particularly busy event this year following the popularity of Broadchurch on ITV as well as from Bridport's increasing reputation as a centre of art and culture.

There will be an exhibition called Six by Nine, of small works by participating artists in the Café Gallery in Bridport Arts Centre from August 14 to September 14. The launch of the Open Studios will be on Thursday, August 22, at the Bull Hotel in Bridport.

This year co-Director Charlie Francis-Pape has had to step down, as she pregnant with her second daughter. The organisers would like to thank Charlie for her indispensable help last year, when the event was extended to run over the two weeks of the Festival of Culture.

Current Director Kit Glaisyer says: “This is such a great annual event for Bridport, and over the years it's helped raise the profile our unique artistic community, but there's also a huge amount of work involved, so we really need more volunteers to help out this year.

“Please get in touch if you'd like to get involved. Artists who help can reduce or eliminate their entry costs, but we'd especially love to hear from people with experience in marketing and event management.”

Mr Glaisyer said that key tasks volunteers could help with include administration and artist liaison; curating and organising the Six by Nine exhibition; putting information up on the website; putting together the guide; help with marketing and social media and designing art trails to encourage visitors to explore further afield.

Full details of the event are available on the website bridportopenstudios.co.uk and the guide will be available from from mid-August.

Artists interested in taking part in the Open Studios event and those wishing to help should email bridportopen@gmail.com or application Forms are available on the website.