This weekend sees the UK’s largest free seafood festival arrive in Weymouth.

Across Saturday and Sunday, thousands of people will be out on Weymouth Harbourside enjoying the finest food and drink at the Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival.

From seafood experts, chef displays, pop-up bars and stalls, there will be something for everyone at the internationally renowned festival.

But with so much to see and do, where do you start?

Fear not, we have asked the experts and here is their guide to making the most of this year's event.

Bournemouth Echo:

1. Festival director Brian Cooper: “Before you set out to taste some amazing seafood dishes and drink Pommery Champagne at the Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival, make sure you visit our mobile friendly website here and download the latest app.

“The UK’s largest seafood festival is free to attend, thanks to sponsors Pommery Champagne, Finn Square, Jurassic Skyline, Weird Fish Clothing, Piddle Brewery and Weymouth BID.”

2. Festival logistics manager Paul Mills: “Summer is the busiest time for Weymouth so plan ahead. Use the Park and Ride or take the train. South West Trains is our official travel sponsor and you can get some good deals if you book early.”

3. Local chef and author Nigel Bloxham: “Try a species of seafood you’ve never tasted before. Go in with the Jurassic Skyline ‘How To’ sessions and learn how to fillet and barbecue beautiful local fresh fish.”

Bournemouth Echo:

4. Fishermen’s Mission Trust corporate fundraising manager Chris Hirst: “The Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival 2015 is a great opportunity to experience and celebrate a diverse range of seafood, whilst also helping to raise funds for the Fishermen’s Mission.

“We’re proud to be the official charity of the event and there are many ways to support us over the weekend, from raffle tickets, fish auctions to simply making a donation.”

5. Chef proprietor of the Dining Room Taher Jibet: “Whelkcome back! Make sure you visit my stand and ‘Glam your Clam’. We have delicious clam and whelk dishes that you simply must try.”

6. Pommery UK director,Sara Hicks: ‘Time to relax. Dip into one of the many Pommery bars around the harbour where you can taste some of Pommery’s award-winning champagnes.

“Pommery is a perfect partner with seafood, so enjoy a glass of Pommery Brut Royal with Dorset Oysters, expertly shucked by Pete Miles and his Cruel Sea team.”

7. Exhibitor manager Laura Avant: “In addition to the many delicious seafood stands, there’s something for all the family, including face painting, mackerel trips and having a go in the Jurassic Skyline ‘How To Zone’ as well as a flight in the Jurassic Skyline itself.”

Bournemouth Echo:

8. Neil Phillips – AKA ‘The Wine Tipster’ – invites you to the Demo Stage near Weymouth Pavilion to see some of your favourite chefs and experts in action.

The line up includes Jack Stein from the Rick Stein Restaurant Group and Gill Meller from River Cottage. Mat Follas, John Wright, Matt Budden and Nigel Bloxham will also be there, and don’t miss the ‘Dorset Young Seafood Chef’ competition final on Sunday afternoon judged by Russell Brown from Creative about Cuisine.

9. We may be passionate about Dorset but so is famous fisherman and trawlerman, Jimmy Buchan, who is coming all the way from Scotland to share his love of fishing, langoustines and his new venture.

You can find Jimmy presenting on Trinity Road and further along, check out what Seafish are up to with chef Ben Bartlett.

10 And finally, a note from festival chairman Roger Dalton: “Make sure you take in the Festival atmosphere by dining in the new pop-up restaurant sponsored by Finn Square – brought to you by Aster Homes and operated by the Hive Beach Cafe.”

11. And don't forget to visit the Dorset Echo stall up by the Weymouth Pavilion. We are giving away free samples of Dorset Tea in our goodie bags with every copy of the paper.

Bournemouth Echo: