The Met Office recently reported the driest six months in over 80 years and with the blistering hot weather set to continue throughout the school summer holidays the Dolphin Shopping Centre is shaping up to offer shoppers some free family fun and advice to help Escape the Midday Sun.

A bursting programme of activities hosted in the Dolphin Shopping Centre will be the perfect way to avoid the effects of the sun when it is at its hottest, while the centre's leading tenants will also be joining forces to help visitors young and old stay safe in the sun.

Headlining the centre's free family fun activities will be a special partnership with Poole Pottery. Children will be able to paint bisques on the Main Mall that will then be fired at Poole Pottery for later collection.

Regular workshops will be held throughout the holidays from 10.30am to 4.30pm, starting Sunday, July 25^, and continuing every Sunday throughout August. Even Poole Pottery's Master Potter, Alan White will be making a special appearance to demonstrate throwing techniques when creating masterpieces such as tea pots in the centre on Sunday, August 15.

Silly Scott, billed as the south's leading entertainer, will be entertaining everyone with his balloon modelling, family magic show and face painting skills every Friday, from July 30 until August 27, 11am until 3pm.

Summer at the Dolphin Shopping Centre wouldn't be complete without a visit or two from some very special children's TV characters. To the delight of shoppers of all ages Noddy, who celebrated his 60^th birthday last year, will be leaving Toytown to meet his fans at the centre for the first time on Monday, August 2.

Dolphin Shopping Centre favourites Peppa Pig and George will also be returning to keep the children entertained on Monday, August 30.

Stephanie Lacey, Dolphin Shopping Centre Manager, commented: "We are delighted to offer an unrivalled schedule of free family fun events at the Dolphin Shopping Centre this summer to help our shoppers and visitors to Poole Escape the Midday Sun.  While continuing our popular programme of children's TV character visits, the Poole Pottery workshops together with performances from Silly Scott will offer more interactive activities for all the family that are sure to bring a real buzz to the centre."