BRIDPORT’S Hat Festival could be your ticket to fame.

The enormously popular event started in 2010 now has a new committee brimful of new ideas - one of which is the chance to get your music act featured on YouTube.

The main festival day will be Saturday September 3, with the usual crowded - mass photo in Bucky Doo square at 1pm.

There are events from Thursday to Sunday with live music every day around the town, including an opening event on Friday evening at the Electric Palace.

New for this year is a music stage from 10.30 to 1pm run by the Artists and Vintage quarter in St. Michael’s estate.

Hat festival publicist Matt Count said: “This music stage will offer, for a small fee: a “minute of fame”, including the use of the stage and sound system with every performance filmed and uploaded to youtube. Show the world that Bridport’s got talent!”

Also new for this year is Saint Marys’ bell ringing group holding a ‘Tower Open Day’ on Saturday from 10.30 to noon There are also all the usual events of live music, talks, tea dancing, dog competitions, refreshment stalls, competitions for best hat and millinery.

Up-to-date information can be found on the website bridporthatfest.org.

Mr Count added: “If you would like to be involved in the running of the day, there is a real need for volunteer stewards.

“Contact us via the website or telephone 01308 250350.”

The Hat Festival raises money for head related charities. In 2014 the event was able to donate £2280to charity and in 2015 this increased to £3030.

Charities supported include Brian Tumour Research, the Brian Injury Rehabilitation Trust, Mencap and the Alzheimer’s Society.

The costs of the festival are met by donations from sponsors, from the proceeds of the hat auction and from such activities as selling Hat Festival bags, T shirts and badges. Any money left over is added to the collections made on the day, and given to charity.

Mr Count added: “We look forward to 2016’s festival and hope that again we be able to show the incredible generosity Bridport’s Mad Hatters.”