THE hottest event of the summer will take place next month when The Great Dorset Chilli Festival returns.

The annual chilli celebration, which is now in its eighth year, will be held at St Giles House in Wimborne – home to the Earl of Shaftesbury - on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29.

It will see stalls selling everything from chilli to pepper plants and cayenne condiments, plus there will be cooking demonstrations, talks, artisan food producers, music and spicy street food.

A spokesperson said: “We'll have some of the most dedicated independent sauce manufacturers and retailers attending and some of the country’s best specialist chilli growers to showcase their plants and seeds to thousands of visitors at what is sure to be 2018's hottest event in Dorset.

“The development of the Dorset Naga, at one time reputed to be the world’s hottest chilli, has really put Dorset on the map for chilli enthusiasts.”

Tickets are £6 in advance and £8 on the gate for adults and £2.50 for children aged 11 to 15 or £3 on the gate.

Children under 10 go free. Parking is free.