MUSICIANS in Weymouth are celebrating after receiving a cash boost to help run a jazz festival.

Weymouth Jazz Club has scooped the grant from the Musicians' Union (MU) to fund their second annual midweek festival in the town.

Last year the Weymouth Midweek Jazz Festival attracted more than 250 people and a number of top musicians.

This year's event, which will take place from Monday June 10 to Friday June 14, is set to go with a swing thanks to £4,000 from the MU.

Organiser of Weymouth Jazz Club, Jennifer Smith, said: "The financial support from the MU is of the utmost importance to the festival.

"Without it we could not have been able to continue to stage the event at the level we did last year."

About 30 bands and solo artists are set to perform in 30 jazz sessions over the five-day event and many of the musicians playing are members of the Wessex branch of the MU, which has more than 100 members locally.

South West director of the Musicians' Union Paul Westwell said: "Events like the Weymouth Jazz Festival are crucial to the survival of live music everywhere."

There will be six jazz sessions each day within two halls of the Hotel Rembrandt, Dorchester Road, Weymouth.

Sessions start between 2pm and 2.30pm and the last performance starts around 9pm to 9.30pm.

Well-know bands such as Gerry Brown and The Mission Hall Jazz Band and the High Society Jazz band are just some of the acts performing during the festival.

A 'daily stroller' ticket giving access to all sessions taking place in one day can be bought for £13 and a full five-day ticket costs £55.

Individual session tickets cost £8 and for more information, ticket enquiries or for a programme call Jennifer Smith or Tony Hurst on (01305) 777412 or 07941 269566.

Tickets will also be on sale in the main hall at the Hotel Rembrandt.