A FESTIVAL which aims to provide some cross-cultural, pan-generational harmony will be held near Swanage this month.

The Wilkswood Reggae Festival will take place from Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16 in the heart of the Purbeck countryside with some legendary names set to perform.

The main stage will welcome sets from Brinsley 'Aswad' Forde, Tippie Irie, Janet 'Silly Games' Kay and Mad Professor.

Others set to perform include Dubheart, Bombskare and Afro Tallawah.

Dave 'Daddy-U' Mountjoy, festival co-founder and Dubheart keyboard player, said: "Reggae has always been about love and unity and it has been bringing people of all ages, colours and cultures together for decades.

"After Brexit, Trump, the recent rise in hate crimes and what seems to be an increasingly polarised society, we feel that the festival is, even in its own small way, an opportunity to create and enjoy some much needed harmony and oneness."

It is a small family-friendly festival which will feature more than 40 reggae and ska artists, sound systems, deejays, selectors, acoustic acts, comedians and poets across three stages.

Billed first and foremost as a family festival, the Wilkswood Reggae Festival is now in its second year and is the brainchild of Dubwood Productions, a collaboration between Simon and Nicky Coppack, the landlords of the Scott Arms in Kingston (near Corfe Castle, not Jamaica) and members of Dubheart, Bournemouth’s own international reggae stars.

The Main Stage lineup features an compelling mix of genuine reggae legends - including Brinsley ‘Aswad’ Forde, Tippa Irie, Janet ‘Silly Games’ Kay and Mad Professor.

The Selector Stage brings together some of the country’s mightiest soundsystem set ups.

The DJ Derek Memorial Stage will be showcasing an eclectic mix of soundsystems, selectors, DJs, acoustic acts and spoken word artists.

To find out more and to book tickets, go to the website dubwood.co.uk