DISADVANTAGED and special needs children are set to benefit from a week-long programme of activities and events organised by Dorset Freemasons.

As part of a National Freemasonry in the Community Week, from Wednesday, June 26, to Tuesday, July 2, a number of activities and presentations will be held to boost the lives of children as well as help local communities across the county.

The community week has been organised and co-ordinated by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset and individual masonic lodges are funding the different activities.

Provincial Grand Master for Dorset Harry Barnes said the programme of events is also being held to make people aware of the work Freemasons.

He said: "This week of events intends to highlight that programme so people can get an idea of what work we do."

The events set to take place and the money raised by the Freemasons include the sponsorship of 12 youth leaders and young people in Weymouth to go on St John Ambulance first aid courses.

Money has also been raised to pay for materials to build a garden at Penwithen School, near Dorchester, and Freemason volunteers will be rolling up their sleeves to create the garden during the weekend of June 15 and 16.

There will also be a cabaret gala on Portland to raise funds for a charity, which has yet to be picked.

The formal opening of refurbishment work on St Michael and All Angels' Parish Church in Littlebredy, near Dorchester, will be on Monday, June 24, at 11am.

Freemasons have bought the materials for the refurbishment and a number of them will lend their time on June 24 to help start work to repair a hole in the floor, which will then be taken over by professional builders.

In Bridport on Friday, June 28, there will be a coach trip for people with Alzheimer's to Swanage and on the way back they will be taken via Swanage Railway.

On Saturday, June 29, there will be fishing lessons and equipment given to underprivileged children from the Bridport area at Mangerton Valley Lakes, Bradpole.

And on Monday, June 24, elderly and young people with physical difficulties at the Fisherman Arms Day Centre, Bridport, will be presented with a digital camera and video equipment.

Two public benches will be presented to the community in Lyme Regis and a copse of trees will be planted at Stour Meadows, Blandford, on Thursday, June 27.

On Wednesday, June 26, there will be presentation of football kit to Beaucroft School in Wimborne and on Thursday, June 27, there will be a presentation of a two-year sponsorship for the town's Dial-a-Ride car, which helps transport elderly people.

And on Monday, July 1, 45 disadvantaged children and their carers from across Dorset will be taken for a day out at Monkey World, near Wool.