Dorchester Town Council has agreed a budget of £2,000 to finance the county town's coronation of King Charles III celebration.

Dorchester has a long tradition of celebrating Royal jubilees, weddings and coronations and the job of organising the events has been entrusted to a council Task and Finish Group.

The celebrations will take place on coronation day, Saturday, May 6, with an event at the Salisbury Fields between 5pm and 8pm.

The event will start with an hour of entertainment, the details of which are to be confirmed, but which is likely to take the form of steel bands and choirs due to the lack of a power supply. The lighting of a beacon will take place at 8pm.

It is also hoped to involve the town's first schools in the events.

Final details of the celebration will be announced following guidance from the King's Pageant Master.

The Lions Club of Dorchester has booked the Great Field for a Fun Day on Sunday, May 7 and it is the intention for the Lions to partner with the town council to make their event Coronation related.

Members of the Task and Finish Group felt the inclusion of a crown making workshop for children would be a good addition to the event.

Discussions will take place with Dorchester BID to secure appropriate flags and possibly a crown competition in shop windows.

New trees are to be planted outside Cafe 1 to commemorate the Coronation to which the Mayor, Cllr Janet Hewitt, will be invited.

Plan your street parties

Dorset Council is encouraging residents to start planning their own street parties for the coronation weekend.

If you're planning a street party, you will need to apply for a temporary road closure and you can find out more at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/temporary-traffic-restrictions-for-events

Dorset Council is waiving the costs of road closure applications and we welcome residents to apply. You need to apply by March 31.

Holding a small outside event with neighbours, on private land, does not need council permission. However, if you plan a street party that involves the closure of a public road, Dorset Council needs to check the road is suitable.

Cllr Val Pothecary, chairman of Dorset Council, said: "The Coronation of King Charles III is going to be a very special national event, and we want as many people as possible to take part in the celebrations.

"As well as the formal and organised community events that will be taking place, we're encouraging people to get into the spirit of the occasion and put on their own local events – it could be as simple as inviting your family and friends for a party in the garden, or a larger community event such as a street party for the neighbourhood."

National coronation events

• The coronation takes place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6
• The Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday, May 7 and a special Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle by the BBC and BBC Studios
• The Big Help Out on Monday, May 8