WIMBORNE'S first street party will take place next month.

East Street will be closed to traffic on December 2 for the inaugural event, billed as a family-friendly carnival.

The party, funded by Wimborne's business improvement district (BID), will take place between midday and 8pm.

Traders from a range of independent businesses based in the stretch - including cafes, a butcher, bars, bakeries, florists and beauticians - will take part in the day.

Many traders are joining forces to offer workshops, with representatives from craft beer bar Butcher's Dog teaming up with florists at Carnival Flowers to host a table-setting tutorial.

Visitors will learn how to create floral displays for their own special occasions at the workshop.

Staff at Reeves and Gallagher Hair Company will also offer beauty treatments inside the The Thirsty Bird cafe, while mini make-up tutorials will take place at the Beauty Centre in exchange for donations to Wimborne-based leukaemia charity Leaf.

Children will be invited to visit Santa in Edwards Estate Agents for an early Christmas present. The admission charge for the visit will also be donated to Leaf.

There will also be a festive treasure hunt for little ones, who will be invited to spot all of the 'out of place' items in East Street shop windows to win Christmas goodies.

Organiser Lauren Green said the event will be held to celebrate Small Business Saturday, which was first observed in America in 2010 as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

“East Street has a really close-knit community of businesses who are very supportive of each other," she said.

"We thought Small Business Saturday would be a great opportunity for us all to come together to celebrate what we have to offer and welcome visitors to join us.”

A range of food and drink will be available on the day, with visitors invited to participate in a teacake challenge at cafe Cloisters and enjoy a hog roast.

Throughout the day and into the evening there will also be a range of performances by musicians and DJs.

Tammy Sleet, manager of Wimborne BID, said: “We are delighted that the businesses of East Street have really embraced the opportunity to promote themselves as part of the activities happening in Wimborne for Small Business Saturday."