New organiser's high hopes for oyster fest A businessman has outlined his plans for the Weymouth's oyster festival later this month.

Peter Ledger, owner of the Crow's Nest restaurant in Hope Square, has taken on the organisation of the festival after the announcement that previous organisers Brewers Quay would no longer be able to fund the event.

He has rallied Dorset businesses for sponsorship and said this year's festival, on the weekend of May 28 and 29, is likely to be better than ever. Mr Ledger took over the organisation of the festival from Janet Pook, who runs Westham Farmers' Market.

Mr Ledger said: "At one point it looked like it wasn't going to happen but it means a lot to us to keep it going and to make it succeed."

Mrs Pook's Westham Farmers' Market is one of this year's biggest contributors and will be hosting stalls with fresh local produce at the festival.

Further sponsorship has come from Bridfish, specialists in smoked fish and duck, and Weyfish, who will provide a range of seafood at the festival.

Mr Ledger plans to expand the event with a barbecue serving tiger prawns, lobster, crab and tuna steak.

The oysters will be provided by Nigel Bloxham's oyster farm on the Fleet and organisers are hoping to beat last year's festival, when over 2,000 oysters were eaten.

There will be live music on both days and cooking demonstrations, as well as face painting and children's entertainment.

Mr Ledger said: "I have lived in Weymouth for over 10 years and I have seen the harbour and the town go through major changes.

"People are more upbeat about what's happening here. "I really do believe that if the harbourside and the town does well then everybody in Weymouth will do well."

The festival has been one the most popular Bank Holiday events in Weymouth. Thousands of people pour into Hope Square for the extravaganza.

This year's festival is being held on the two days before Trawler Race on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30, along the old harbourside in Weymouth.