SUNSHINE brought out the crowds for a free concert at Maumbury Rings organised by Dorchester Town Council.

Six bands performed a diverse range of music as families basked in the heat and enjoyed picnics on Bank Holiday Monday.

Town council arts chairman Tony Lyall said the concert provided a big finish to the programme of events that the council had organised across the summer.

He said: “It’s the finale of all the things that we do over the summer.

“It’s a real community event.

“The bands play at a greatly-reduced price and lots of people give their time for free.

“We get comments from people who have come down from places like London and they have never seen anything like it.

“It just doesn’t happen anywhere else and they are just astounded that sleepy little Dorchester can put something like this on.”

The open air extravaganza has been held at Maumbury Rings for the last six years, This year’s line-up included the A-listers, MumJums, Fat Drunk Stupid, Ogri and the Café Racers, Gorilla Salad and State of Undress.

Coun Lyall said: “It’s an eclectic mix of music so there’s something for everybody.”

Mayor of Dorchester Les Phillips praised the efforts of Coun Lyall and everyone else involved in staging another successful concert.

He said: “Tony Lyall does a superb job every year and it’s a great thing for young people to come and enjoy.

“It’s great for the town.

“We have even had the right weather for it this year.”