A BUMPER weekend of fun in Dorset will mark this bank holiday out as one of the best.

There are even rumours of warm weather and blue skies, so get the full holiday feeling with the annual three-day Thai Food Festival which begins tomorrow (Saturday) in The Square.

Expect a flurry of stalls serving the most delicious of Thai dishes for an exotic culinary adventure by the British coastline.

The town's Pinewalk Art Exhibition will also open tomorrow in the Lower Gardens.

Open each summer for the last 50 years, the exhibition is one of the largest and longest-running in the country, featuring work from a large range of artists.

Children will enjoy a glimpse into the world's oceans at Bournemouth's world-famous aquarium, with savings of up to 25 per cent this bank holiday when booking online.

The Oceanarium features reptiles, rock pool favourites and creepy crawlies, as well fantastic fish.
Little swashbucklers will also enjoy a pirate adventure on Brownsea Island from tomorrow.

There will be arts and crafts, face painting and an adventure trail based on the book Scary Bones the Skeleton and the Pirates of Brownsea Island.

Author Ron Dawson will be on hand for book signing and storytelling on Monday.

In East Dorset, crafty shoppers will visit Kingston Lacy for a long-established and hugely popular garden fair on the estate.

Treasure hunters will find woodwork, pottery, designer jewellery, handmade knitwear and a host of other crafts and artwork.

There will also be a spectacular selection of plants, garden furniture, ornaments and more.
Entry to the event, open from tomorrow until Monday, is £4.50 for adults, £4 for seniors and free for children.

Sporty holiday-makers will be welcome at Studland Beach on Sunday for the Go Spike Big Weekend, a mass participation event running throughout the UK offering everyone the opportunity to give volleyball a go.

The free sessions will take place from 10.30am until 5pm.