A YOUNG film programmer who is working at Bridport Arts Centre is urging people to come and experience a special virtual reality evening.

Blake Ford, 15, who goes to The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis, has taken on the role at the arts centre in a bid to encourage more people into the building to watch films.

The teenager has organised a Virtual Reality (VR) Workshop at the arts centre on Friday, November 30 at 5pm, ahead of a screening of Ready Player One.

People will be able to try out three different VR experiences - a walk the plank, a lightsaber rhythm game and a VR rollercoaster. The workshop is free for anyone who has bought a ticket to see the Steven Spielberg film Ready Player One, which will be screened at 7 pm.

Blake said: "The Virtual Reality experience is an event where people can try out different VR experiences and games

"I have organised it because I thought it would get lots of people coming to the arts centre.

"Virtual reality is still quite up and coming and I think a lot of people my age would be interested in it and we want to let them know that there are things going on at the arts centre for people of all ages. No-one needs to feel intimidated because it's a very friendly place."

Blake got in touch with Exeter-based Dreamscape, which is supplying the virtual reality equipment for the event.

"People will be able to try out a lot of different things like falling off a skyscraper, it can seem quite scary but it's a lot of fun," Blake said.

And the choice of film to be screened afterwards fits in perfectly, Blake said, because Ready Player One is a science fiction action adventure featuring a virtual reality world.

Blake is already planning further events at Bridport Arts Centre - he will be screening Super 8 on December 13, which will also include a film workshop.

*Virtual Reality Workshop followed by Ready Player One, Bridport Arts Centre, Friday, November 30, starting at 5pm (film at 7pm). The workshop is free with a ticket to the film. Contact the box office for tickets.