MORE than 70 acts and events will make up the seventh annual Arts by the Sea Festival.

Preparations are in their final stages for the festival, which runs in venues across Bournemouth from October 14-21.

Cabaret, magic, film, exhibitions, music, raves, performance and theatre are all in the line-up.

Most of the programme takes place outdoors at venues including Bournemouth's gardens, the pier, the square and the seafront. Indoor venues include the Shelley Theatre, Pavilion Dance, St Peter's church and the Old Firestation.

Festival-goers can enjoy a free weekend at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum or enjoy Suddenly Last Summer, a combined creative exhibition by the class of 2017 at Arts University Bournemouth ‘s galleries.

Local artist Harriet Muller explores this year’s Arts by the Sea theme, Plastic Beach , creating beautiful seascapes and creatures

using recycled plastics in her exhibition Aquastic , running throughout the festival at Pavilion Dance. Cinema lovers will be entertained at The Ocean Film Short Sounds Film Festivals.

Party animals, young and old, also have somewhere to go. The award winning Big Fish Little Fish will be entertaining the under 8s and their parents with Surf’s Up , Family Rave while the grown ups can dance the night away at the opening party, Glitter not Litter.