ENTERTAINMENT for all the family is set high on the agenda in Dorchester, where the arts centre has just announced its autumn programme.

One of the highlights is Lilies on the Land, a play based on the experiences of Land Girls during the Second World War. It is being staged on Wednesday, September 10 at The Corn Exchange, starting at 8pm, and promises to be a real trip down memory lane.

It has already been performed in other venues across Dorset to great acclaim. Tickets are £9 plus concessions.

For families, Not Now, Bernard, by the Nuffield Theatre Company is at Dorchester Arts Centre on Friday, September 19, at 2pm and 5pm.

This is a hilarious and delightfully scary show for children aged between three and seven and promises to keep their families and friends entertained too. Tickets are £26 for families, £6 for adults and £4 for children.

At half term, budding animators can enjoy a workshop with Oscar Stringer, plus a show by The Puppet Lab from Edinburgh, which brings Each, Peach, Pear, Plum to town for two days.

Music lovers have the well-established blues nights to look forward to, plus jazz from The Wessex Jazz Collective, folk from Dick Gaughan, and Iberian music from La Musgaa.

Other treats include The Complete Works of Gilbert and Sullivan reduced into an evening of hilarity and entertainment, with supper and a welcome drink thrown in too, and you can expect exciting innovative dance from Spinstren on Friday, October 3.

You can also catch Three Go to Pieces, the stunning new work from Debbie Fionn Barr, in November.

An arts centre spokeswoman says: "Sammy Hurden will be running her very popular Tuesday evening singing workshops starting on Tuesday, September 16.

"We are starting new daytime singing workshops led by the BSO's Kathy Prince on Wednesdays from October 1 - you don't need to read music to join either group, singing is great fun and very relaxing."

Poetry Dorchester will return with its ongoing workshop for writing and reading poetry, starting on October 1, and there will be a Poetry Cafe with guest poet Patience Agbabi in October at which local writers can read their work.

Full details of all arts centre events will appear on this page nearer the time and you can also pick up the new season brochure from the centre in School Lane, The Grove, Dorchester, as well as shops, TICs and libraries. You can also call 01305 266926 for bookings and details.