The Onion Johnnies have arrived ahead of a bumper weekend of music, entertainment - and onions.

In the build-up to the festival, a Breton sailing ketch brought sacks of pink onions from Roscoff to West Bay harbouron Wednesday, where they were unloaded by human chain into a horse drawn cart.

Tonight, at 6pm, Bridport mayor, Cllr Barry Irvine, will open the third Onion Jack festival at West Bay, when 25 French musicians and circus performers will celebrate the tradition of Onion Johnnies with a free weekend of entertainment.

President of the Onion Johnnies, Laurent Caroff, said “Our festival will bring a taste of Brittany to West Bay again. I have been bringing onions to Bridport for the past 10 years or so, and with the help of Washingpool Farm Shop and many others, we have brought over performers from Brittany to celebrate the tradition of Onion Johnnies. You know, for nearly 200 years, Onion Johnnies were a common sight here in England, but there are fewer of us now.”

“In the past they'd arrive by sailing boat and so West Bay seemed ideal for this celebration, given my link with Washingpool and the town council's support for festivals. Every time we come here we make more and more friends – that's why we love coming back to Bridport. In these uncertain times we want to strengthen our ties with British people so we can keep working with each other.”