A PROGRAMME of family fun will help locals celebrate Bridport's rope-making heritage this weekend.

This year's Ropewalk Fair will take place on the Millennium Green on Sunday (10) - including Maypole dancing and live demonstrations.

From 11am until 4pm, a range of activities will be on offer for visitors. Live rope and net-making demonstrations by local firms Amsafe, Huck Nets and Coastal Nets will take place in the heritage marquee - along with workshops by volunteers from Dawes Twineworks, who will offer people the chance to have a go on their historic balling machine to make their own ball of twine.

The Ropewalk Fair is organised by Bridport Museum, Bridport Area Development Trust, Huck Nets and Bridport Town Council.

The event will raise money for the redevelopment of Bridport Museum and the historic Literary and Scientific Institute.

Emily Hicks, curator of Bridport Museum said: "Last year’s event was such a success - I hope this will be as good, if not better.

"We’re delighted that we can find such a fun way of raising funds for both the Literary and Scientific Institute and the museum’s big redevelopment projects.

"We are so pleased to have great support from Bridport’s netting companies, and all the volunteers who have been very hard at work getting the plans together."

Stalls organised by community groups, along with activities and games to take part in will be on offer at Mountfield Garden - along with the new Bridport-based group ArtEscape, who will be giving visitors the chance to make a piece of artwork using donated pieces of rope and net.

The Bridport cadets will also be on hand with a climbing wall for people to test their strength.

A range of food will be provided by local caterers, along with cream teas provided by the Friends of Bridport Museum. There will also be a range of musical entertainment throughout the day - including John Bullock and the popular ukulele group, The Jurassic Drifters.

Maypole dancing will be provided by pupils from Thorners and Bridport primary schools, while a mass-skipping event will take place, along with the highly competitive tug of war contest to round off the day's events. Teams for the tug of war must be signed up in advance by telephoning 01308 458703.

For more information, please visit ropewalkfair.co.uk