A MEDIEVAL community will be springing up in a Dorset village this summer with a new festival celebrating life on the middle ages.

The first ever Dorset Medieval Festival is being held at Winterbourne Came near Dorchester on July 18 and July 19.

The event will feature duels between knights, minstrels, a tented medieval village and a medieval market place.

Jerry Bird organised similar festivals in Sussex before moving to Dorchester around 18 months ago and was keen to recreate their success in this area.

He said: “It’s really the first of its kind in Dorset. I have been working with one or two local groups and there will be people from all over the south of England coming down.

“It’s going to be a grand spectacle for adults and children.”

The festival will take place at the old Dorset County Showground at Came House and Mr Bird is predicting a large turn out for the event.

He said: “I think if the weather’s fine we are almost guaranteed a good turn out.

“We have got an excellent location and there is an awful lot going on, such as jousting, swordmanship between knights in armour and archery contests.

Mr Bird said the event was all about bringing the medieval times back to life, with a number of living history groups running workshops in medieval crafts to offer a learning experience as well as entertainment.

He said: “There is also an educational aspect to this and we have already got one or two school groups coming along.”

Mr Bird said that the two-day event would attract many visitors from further afield who want to make a weekend of it, bringing associated benefits to the Dorchester area.

“Dorchester does need to do a bit more in the way of activities and a medieval festival is a great way of inducing people to the town and it’s good for the area.”

Day tickets for the festival cost £10 for adults and £6 for children, with family tickets available for £28.

Tickets are available at the Tourist Information Office in Antelope Walk, Dorchester.

For more information or to book online you can visit www.dorsetmedievalfestival.co.uk.