THE RETURN of Dorset’s only free seafood festival is just two days away as organisers get set to welcome thousands.

A right royal affair is promised for the returning Poole Seafood Festival which is being held during the upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations from Friday, June 3 to Sunday 5.

Fresh food and local produce stalls will line the Quay alongside the popular Champagne and Oyster bar, as well as beer, cider and wine. Mouth-watering highlights will include the return of The Mussel Pod, a Purbeck Trout Farm smorgasbord, open sandwiches and mackerel pate from The Porthole, Weymouth Seafood's sensational squid and the contemporary street food of Henry the Cockleman.

Bournemouth Echo: Poole Seafood FestivalPoole Seafood Festival

A range of live music will be performed by acts including the Wareham Whalers, The Captain's Beard, All Funked Up, Chris Payn, Mischa & His Merry Men, Jimmy Hillbillies and Mother Ukers.

Guest chefs will include Ian Salmon from Rick Stein Sandbanks, Ian Gibbs from the Guildhall Tavern in Poole's Old Town, as well as TV curry queen Sarah Ali Choudbury and Christian Ørner of Poole-based SALT Cø – who will be cooking live on the Seafood Stage.

The free to attend festival opens from 10am until 10pm on Friday, 10am until 9pm on Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.