Dorchester is rolling out the red carpet to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee over the bank holiday weekend.

Dorchester Town Council and the chamber of commerce have joined forces to stage a bumper festival over the four days.

Events also lined up over the long weekend include a bonfire, fireworks, a flower festival, school parties, street parties and charity fundraisers.

People are being urged to save their bunting to wave the flag for Queen and country as the celebrations continue for the Golden Jubilee themed Dorchester Carnival on June 14.

The extravaganza kicks off in style on Saturday with an all day street market in South Street, organised by the Dorchester and District Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry.

The fun includes a host of traditional art and craft stalls as well as a farmers' market, displays of glass blowing and countryside skills.

Organisers from the chamber hope a craftsman will carve a wooden mould on the day to cast a bronze bell, which will be rung out at a religious service and hung in the town as a permanent reminder of the jubilee.

Worshippers of all denominations are invited to attend a major tribute to the Queen at a parade and open-air service at Maumbury Rings on Sunday.

Crowds of wellwishers, worshippers and members of such groups as the Royal British Legion, Scouts and Guides are expected to line the banks of the historic amphitheatre for the occasion.

Many will parade from the market car park to the earthworks behind a marching band before the Dorchester Town Council service begins with prominent churchmen and religious leaders at 3pm.

Coun Stella Jones, chairman of the council's jubilee sub-committee, said: "It is particularly relevant to hold this ceremony in Maumbury Rings.

"The amphitheatre is known to have existed for at least 4,500 years and was used over time for events and ceremonies.

"It therefore gives us a link to those who have gone before."

She added: "I hope as many people as possible will come together and enjoy this important and historic event."

Dorchester Borough Gardens will come alive to the sound of bands on bank holiday Monday, from 3pm to 9pm.

Groups playing the afternoon slot include Jiggery Pippery and the Purbeck Big Band, while jazz ensemble Four in a Bar and Friends will be playing between 6-9pm.

The Wessex Military Band will also be stirring the spirits in the evening slot before the celebrations continue with the popular Dorchester Carnival Band.

The group will lead a procession of townsfolk and councillors to Salisbury Fields where dignitaries will light the town's Millennium Beacon as part of a chain of fire around the UK.

The celebration hits fever pitch on bank holiday Tuesday with a street party in South Street, Dorchester.

Families are urged to come decked out in red, white and blue for the fun packed event, from noon to 4pm.

Organisers want people to bring their own food and drink, but also have a go at making a crown to cap the occasion.

There will also be entertainment, music and stalls during the day. People can come and go as they please, to eat, drink, enjoy the entertainment or just soak up the atmosphere.

A collection of jubilee china and memorabilia will be on show in the Corn Exchange, courtesy of town councillor Les Phillips.

The four-day extravaganza comes together after months of hard work by Stella Jones.

Coun Jones said: "The street party should be great fun. There will be entertainment and people can come and go as they please during the afternoon, but they should bring their own food and drink.

"We hope the street party and rest of the celebrations will make the Queen's Golden Jubilee in Dorchester an event to remember for a long time to come."

The town's chamber of commerce has backed the celebrations and organised the opening day's festivities, but they are not the only ones to join in.

Poundbury residents are throwing a party of their own in Pummery Square on bank holiday Tuesday.

They plan to hold a tea party for children where youngsters will receive a mug bearing the design of the Brownsword Hall.

Then there will be a ceilidh underneath the Brownsword Hall.

Pub bosses Jan and David Birch are having a right knees-up at the Royal Oak in Cerne Abbas on the evening of Saturday June 1.

They are holding a special night of events to celebrate receiving Les Routiers recognition, celebrate the jubilee with a special 1952 menu and raise cash to buy a new kidney dialysis unit for use by patients in Dorset.

Several of the pub's suppliers are providing prizes for a raffle, such as a Fudges Bakery hamper, to help the pub hit its £2,000 target.

Mrs Birch said: "What better time to kick off our charity promotion than with the Golden Jubilee celebration."

Lord Digby, a former Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, is throwing a Minterne Jubilee Jamboree on bank holiday Monday with Minterne Parish Council and Sentry Farming.

It will include a seated picnic for 150 invited guests from Minterne and Cerne as well as music and a hog roast.

Later, as dusk falls, there will be a bonfire and fireworks display on Telegraph Hill, at Batcombe Down.

A jubilee flower festival with displays and stalls is also being held at St Nicholas Church in Moreton on June 1 to 3.

The event will include refreshments, books, bric-a-brac, cakes and an exhibition of Dorset paintings with all proceeds in aid of the parishes of Moreton, Tincleton and Woodsford.