A Dorchester car park will be 'reclaimed for the townsfolk' as a festival celebrating International Car-Free Day takes place.

The event - titled Streets Alive - will run on Friday, September 22 in Acland Road car park.

There will be stalls, live music, activities and demonstrations from 12pm to 5pm.

Street art, bike disco and bike polo, cycle training and repairs, street football, and more is planned on the afternoon.

Streets Alive will be based around the theme of active transport, encouraging the public to find alternatives to driving.

Many of Dorchester’s primary and middle schools are also supporting this event, with some children walking, cycling or scooting to the event from their school.

September 22 marks International Car Free Day which encourages motorists around the world to give up their vehicles for a day and allow people to experience their streets free of motor traffic.

Julie-Ann Booker, from the Dorchester Transport Action Group, which was set up last year and is organising Streets Alive, said, “The event will take a space in the centre of town usually occupied by cars and reclaim it for the townsfolk for one day.

"The central idea is to gently encourage a behavioural change from using cars to active transport which will bring a range of benefits.

"The event will be open to everyone: old and young, mobile, and not so mobile, to experience the centre of Dorchester in a new way”.

Local cycling groups are also being encouraged to participate in a mass cycle on the day of the event.

The route will finish at the car park where there will be a circuit of the space.

Giles Watts, secretary of Dorchester Transport Action Group, added: “This event will be positive for Dorchester and bring people into the centre of town which will be good for the community and businesses alike.”

Organisers are keen to hear from anyone who can help support the event, such as by booking a stall, performing on stage and helping to promote the festival. 

To get involved, contact Dorchester Streets Alive at dorchesterstreetsalive@gmail.com or call Giles Watts at 07840 061712. 

You can also like/follow the event at www.facebook.com/DorchesterStreetsAlive or @dorchesterstreetsalive on Instagram.