A 'SPECIAL' family-friendly music festival is set to mark its 10th anniversary in Dorset later this year with a host of local musicians lined up for the 'beautiful' event.

Chesil Rocks will take place at the home of Hilary and Tim Warren at Higher Farmhouse in Langton Herring over three days from Thursday, June 15 to Saturday, June 17.

The popular festival has built a reputation as a fun event with quality music as well as being a huge fundraiser for the local Samaritans branch in Weymouth.

It has raised thousands for the cause since 2012 and organisers hope to break the £100,000 barrier when Chesil Rocks returns in the - hopefully - Dorset sunshine this year.

It made its long-awaited comeback to Langton Herring last year after two years off due to the pandemic.

Once again Chesil Rocks will start with a comedy night on the Thursday, an evening of classical music and opera on the Friday and the main event on the Saturday.

Hilary and Tim have revealed some of the line-up of local musical acts guests can expect to see across the long weekend whilst sipping on tipples from the bars and enjoying food from the refreshment gazebos propped up across the site.

On the comedy night, which is suitable for adults only, doors will open at 6.30pm and once again feature former postman and local comic Tom Glover from west Dorset.

For the Friday evening of classical music, which is also not suitable for children, pianist Duncan Honeybourne will be returning to perform, as will the Dorset String Quartet.

Gates open at 5pm and all tickets include a glass of Prosecco or soft drink on arrival, with guests asked to dress smartly.

For the main showcase on the Saturday, running from 12pm-11pm, acts will include Hilary and Tim's daughter Sarah de Warren with a DJ set, who performs vocals for electronic dance music.

Other headliners will include a Bob Dylan cover band called Million Dollar Bash, Mick Parker and the False Alarms - which have played at Glastonbury Festival - and Jess Upton and the Guilty Pleasures, who are from Bridport and Weymouth.

Former Wessex FM DJ Maria Greenwood will also be popping up at Chesil Rocks in June, as well as Hustle, the Bridport Big Band and Portesham Ukulele Band.

"It has not got bigger - it has just got better and has grown in stature," Tim and Hilary said. 

"We have got a reputation for showcasing local talent and there is a lot of musical talent in Dorset. Quite often they just play in pubs but people do not listen in pubs, they talk.

"Here they have got more of a presence and can play to a larger group of people.

"We like to think we are providing a day of happiness; however you are feeling, that day is going to be a good one.

"It is a lovely event, next to the sea and it is all green and beautiful. Everything is special about our festival."

Tim and Hilary have been made patrons of the Dorset branch of Samaritans for their work and the pair are expecting about 500 people to attend the festival this year.

There is also a keen focus on looking after the environment at Chesil Rocks, with recyclable cable ties used for gazebos and plant-based dishes encouraged.

They added that money made for the charity helps them to not worry about their fundraising and get on with 'what they do best' - helping people in crisis.

"Last year was our best financially and at the end of the festival we gave £20,000 to the Dorset branch of the Samaritans, which was half of their budget," Tim said.

"We thought that was amazing and we are hopeful we can break the £100,000 barrier this year."

Tim and Hilary are encouraging volunteers to help out at the festival. To enquire, email chesilrocks@gmail.com and to buy tickets, visit www.chesilrocks.com/onlinetickets