DESPITE 21st century challenges Bridport's music shop will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend.

Bridport Music, on South Street, first opened its doors in 1976, as Bridport Record Centre and has been providing the town’s musical needs ever since.

It was originally based at 96 South Street before moving to its current premises in 1979.

Around 10 years ago, the owners decided to broaden their product range, and changed from Bridport Record Centre to Bridport Music.

The celebrations are being held this Saturday (April 16) to coincide with Record Store Day, an international event held every year around the world to celebrate all things vinyl.

Steph Garner, who owns the shop with husband Piers, said its one of their biggest days of the year in terms of vinyl sales.

She said: “It’s bigger than Christmas in terms of intensity. You’ve just got this general build up, you know this is coming, it all sort of intensifies at once.

“Some people treat it like Bridport Music’s open day. They just like coming in and listening to some live music."

“The people that are mad about vinyl, they queue up. We have an interesting couple of hours at the start of the day.”

The shop will be open from 8am until 5pm with exclusive releases as well as live music from 10am, cake and goody bags while stocks last and cake and fizz at 4pm to celebrate the 40th anniversary.

RSD, sees artists release exclusive limited editions, available only on vinyl to celebrate the renaissance the medium has enjoyed in recent years.

Last year saw people queuing from as early as 2.30am at Bridport Music to get their hands on the early releases.

Steph, wanted to encourage anyone to come down, whether they are interested in vinyl or not.

She said: “Whether it’s for the special vinyl releases or the cakes or the live music or the drink of fizz just come in and enjoy it.”

There are exclusive releases this year to celebrate Record Store Day from the likes of Bob Dylan, Metallica and Primal Scream.