BUMPER crowds are expected at the Daily Echo-backed Poole Park Fest this bank holiday weekend.

The event, celebrating its fifth anniversary, will feature a wide variety of activities, leisure pursuits and sports to try.

Music fans are in for a treat as Bob Marley tribute band, Legend, and the Beach Boys Inc are headlining the completely free event.

And sailing activities on the lake should prove popular, especially after Great Britain's Olympic success at the Beijing games.

Peter Gordon, of Rockley Watersports, said: "The Poole Park Fest allows us to demonstrate a number of different watersports to the thousands of people that visit Poole Park during the two day event."

Trained staff will be on hand to give budding sailors the chance to try their seamanship skills.

Romin Aliabadi, from Mr Kyps, who are helping run the event this year, said: "The festival aims to promote the activities available in the park, with the underlying message of getting outside, getting healthy and having fun."

Last year's Poole Park Fest attracted a record 22,000 people and it's anticipated this year's event could eclipse those numbers.

Sports on offer include canoeing, rock climbing and martial arts.

Children can enjoy a flame circus skills workshop, trampolines, inflatable rides, a bouncy castle, a space simulator and other rides.

The Animal Relentless bike tour will also return to Poole Park, with its world-class riders giving thrilling freestyle demonstrations.

Mr Gordon said: "The Poole Park Fest is always a really popular event that attracts locals and visitors to the area.

"This year's theme is sport, leisure and music so it is a great opportunity for us to promote watersports to a wider audience, something we are very passionate about."

A Fest spokesman added: "This event is free, but please, give generously to the collections at the gate that make this event possible. £2 for all this entertainment shouldn't be too much to ask."