DORCHESTER will celebrate an international car-free day with a Streets Alive event.

The event will be held at the Acland Road car park on Friday, September 22 between 12pm and 5pm.

Local schoolchildren will be taking part with members of the public also invited along.

The Streets Alive event will look to educate the public into finding fun and engaging alternatives to driving, as well as to enjoy the health benefits of active transport and ‘reclaim their urban spaces.’

Activities and demonstrations will include the Crazy Cycle Circus, King Ramps Skateboarding, walking football, pottery classes and much more.

A spokesperson for the event said: “It is intended that the children will walk, cycle, or scoot to the festival from their schools with some coming in on a professionally-led ‘bike-bus.’

"The number of children travelling to the festival will give a powerful visual message that our streets are for everyone.”

Dorset Echo: People will be able to try a range of activities at the Streets Alive event

Julie-Ann Booker from Dorchester Transport Action Group said: “The central idea is to gently encourage a behavioural change from using cars to active transport which will bring a range of benefits including, reduced levels of air and noise pollution and a reduction in our carbon footprint.”

Cllr Alistair Chisholm, Mayor of Dorchester, is “delighted” the event will be hosted in Dorchester, saying: “It will demonstrate how we must adapt our travelling habits for a climate change future.

"Streets Alive turns ideas into actions from which we can all learn and it builds on the occasional High Street closures which are appreciated by so many residents, visitors and businesses.”

Streets Alive is being funded by Dorset Council, Dorset Community Energy, Dorchester Town Council, and Poundbury Wealth Management LLP.

The event will see Acland Road car park closed for the day, with all other car parks in the town remaining open.

To get involved in the event, please 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.