SPONSORS are being sought to pay for three local students to attend this year’s Thomas Hardy summer conference in Dorchester.

The event is staged by the Thomas Hardy Society in partnership with Dorchester Town Council and other organisations and is due to take place from July 27th until August 3rd.

Most of the activities will be held in the United Church in South Street although there are usually guided walks and talks to locations which have a Hardy connection.

Organisers say a grant of £195 would pay for three local students to attend without any charge to them.