WEEKEND shoppers were given the chance to meet Mary's Monster when a pop-up theatre production was held.

Saturday and Sunday saw free performances at various locations around Bournemouth, from the Square to the Triangle, aimed at celebrating the life of Mary Shelley and the Frankenstein Festival.

Project organiser Christine Aziz said: "The idea is to introduce Bournemouth to Mary Shelley and to celebrate her life. It is also aimed to increase footfall in the town centre."

The Town Centre Business Improvement District gave approximately £2,000 to the project which was organised with the help of staff from Bournemouth library.

"The idea was to have one Mary, one Doctor Frankenstein and one Monster and they have been going through the town interacting with the public," Ms Aziz said.

"There were some scared children but it was surprising how many people didn't know that Mary Shelley was buried just a few yards away and even that she wrote the book.

"But it's all about her relationship with Bournemouth and Boscombe.

"We were very well received."

Ms Aziz said performers visited the Mary Shelley pub, Waterstones, Lush, Debenhams and M&S spreading the festival feelers far and wide.

"It has been very very successful; and I think it's really nice that Bournemouth is doing this with the help of the Town Centre BID," Ms Aziz added. "I think there should be more events like this which engage with the public where there is a local reference."

Readings from the author's journal will be heard at Bournemouth Library today (NOV 8) at 3pm and on Thursday (NOV 5) at 5.30pm. Westbourne Library will also be holding Gothic creative writing workshops on November 12.

And on Saturday, November 19, from 3-4.30pm there is going to be a massive Frankenstein event through Boscombe.

There will be a Grande Parade - a moving spectacle of Gothic costume, music, dance and performances to celebrate the author's legacy.

It will travel down Christchurch Road from Pokesdown Station to Boscombe precinct and the public are invited to go along and see it for themselves or even take part.

Anyone interested in dressing up as a monster, mad scientist or member of the Shelley family can apply to do so until 12pm on Saturday, November 12.

There are free costume workshops available to official participants and it is free to enter.

For more information visit shelleyfrankfest.org/2016/06/25/event-the-grande-parade.