MUSIC greets shoppers in Dorchester tomorrow when the BB Hall Blues Band kicks off the Summer Saturday Live season.

The band will be playing sets in South Street during the morning and afternoon as part of an event that also features an art and craft market and a farmers' market.

The Dorset Made market forms a venue for people to see and buy a range of work created by local artists.

Karen Francis of Charminster said the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce initiative was holding its first art and craft market in the town in partnership with the farmers' market in lower South Street, which is being closed to traffic for the day.

She said: "The intention is to provide a venue for local art and craft people to showcase their work and enable discerning members of the public to purchase original pieces direct from the artists.

"It is envisaged that this could become a regular event with two or three markets a year."

The event will raise money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The BB Hall Blues Band is followed by musicians every Saturday through the summer until September 6.

Nick Wimberley, one of the organisers from the newly formed Dorchester Music and Performance Group, said: "We've lined up music for all tastes being performed either near the town pump or at the other end of South Street. BB Hall Blues Band are starting it off - they're a well-known top class local band."

He said the bigger season of Saturday music followed a successful trial last year. It is being supported and sponsored by West Dorset District Council, Dorchester Town Council, the town's Chamber of Commerce and Dorchester BID, the Business Improvement District.

One of the highlights will be on June 21 for a carnival day special line-up featuring music all day from Dorchester Big Band, Quangle Wangle Choir, Coracle and Durnovaria Silver Band. Tomorrow's market starts at 10am.