Excitement is building for a new family event taking place on a beach this weekend.

Seaweed Shenanigans is on Castle Cove Beach, Weymouth on Saturday, April 20 from 12pm to 4pm and is free to attend.

It marks the fifth year since full public access to the beauty spot was reinstated after new steps down to the beach were constructed.

The event is organised by the Friends of Castle Cove Beach Charity and will see a range of quirky, fun and educational events. This includes information and activities about seagrass, seahorses, eco moorings and the varied uses of seaweed.

There will also be a samba band, a bucket and spade drumming workshop, a choir, games for children and a sand sculpture building competition judged by Weymouth 'Sandman', Mark Anderson. And if you’re lucky you might spot a mermaid.

Local experts will also be at the event, keen to share their enthusiasm and expertise.

Read more: Steps down to Castle Cove Beach reopen after more than five years

Festival co-organiser Katie Janota said: "We are excited for it. It is going to be a lovely family day with fun and seaweed on the beach to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the steps to Castle Cove.

"We will look forward to seeing as many people as possible."

Festival organiser Lyndsey Diment added: “Seaweed is something we take for granted, but it really is one of nature’s wonders. It can be used in cooking, as fertiliser, and in beauty products.

“At Castle Cove, we are privileged to have magical seagrass beds - the only flowering plants able to live in saltwater. The beds act as a nursery for young fish and seahorses, help to slow climate change, and filter out pollutants - and they need our protection.”

The event is free and will be funded by a Love Local raffle.

Read more: Tourists upset at amount of seaweed on Weymouth beach

Local businesses and restaurants have donated prizes, and raffle tickets will be sold at £1 a ticket.

Prizes include restaurant vouchers, a mermaid swimming lesson, a boat trip to Durdle Door, stand-up paddle boarding, swim vouchers, a sourdough workshop, locally ground coffee, as well as local attraction entry tickets.