DEMOCRACY will be celebrated with a celebration of music and dance this weekend (17).

As part of the Democracy in Bridport festival, performers including Billy Bragg and Bridport Youth Dance will take to the stage at the Electric Palace on Saturday.

Bridport Youth Dance will perform a newly choreographed dance piece, while several films about local people and places and a new comic puppet play for all ages, written by George Gotts will also be on offer. The puppets have been created b Holly Miller and the show will be directed by Peta Lily.

As well as Billy Bragg, music will come from David Powell's Bride Valley Band and Friends, as well as Son of Richard.

Dozens of pupils from three local school choirs will also perform, before the day will end with a multi-media piece about migration across Europe - spoken and sung by local performers and musicians, written by Robert Golden.

Mr Golden said: "We are hoping that people feel free to come and go all day and enjoy some food and drinks.

"Tickets are ‘pay what you can’, and free for children.

"We hope that in these difficult times, when many people ask why they should bother to vote and often feel frustrated about the nature of our governance and the responsiveness of politicians, Democracy In Bridport 2015 will stimulate discussion and ideas."

All performers are by and about people of Bridport. The community-led project is led by local artists and volunteers for the arts - with people's ideas and contributions to the event's website will help on the performance day.

"This day of celebration follows on from the two exhibitions which are now running at the Town Hall and in the Bridport Art Centre’s foyer and cafe," added Mr Golden.

"We hope that people will find time to go and see the beautiful and inquiring photography and art work by local artists in both venues."

The doors will open at 10am and events will roll continuously until the finish at 9pm.

For more information, please visit bridportdemocracy.weebly.com