BE transported to Middle Earth for an epic Lord of the Rings film marathon.

The famous trilogy is being screen throughout the day on Saturday, June 4 at Salisbury Arts Centre.

The mystical world and its colourful inhabitants imagined by J R Tolkien, including hobbits, elves, orcs, and dwarves, were brought to life on screen by director Peter Jackson who transformed New Zealand into Middle Earth.

The Academy Award winning trilogy will be introduced Richard Sharkey, who was the location production manager for the trilogy, and Ian Brodie, the author of Middle Earth Landscapes and The Lord of the Rings Location Guide.

They will both be talking about their work.

The triple bill starts at midday with The Fellowship of the Ring as we join a young hobbit, Frodo Baggins, and his faithful companion Sam, Gandalf and a whole host of others as they embark on a dangerous journey to destroy the One Ring and save civilisation from the dark Lord Sauron.

Their quest continues in The Two Towers at 4pm. Frodo and Sam discover they are being followed by the mysterious Gollum, while Aragorn, elf archer Legolas and Gimli the dwarf encounter the besieged kingdom of Rohan.

And watch the final battle between good and evil in The Return of the King and the forces battle it out for control of Middle Earth. And will Frodo and Sam reach the Mountains of Mordor in their quest to destroy the One Ring.

The arts centre cafe and bar will be open throughout the day and food can be pre-booked from the cafe menu, including sharing platters, by calling 01722 321744 (48 hours notice is required).

Film offerings from New Zealand continue with quirky romantic comedy Eagle vs Shark, which stars Flight of the Concords' Jemaine Clement, Vincent Ward's colonial epic River Queen, In my Fathers Den, Abandoned, and Whale Rider.

Whale Rider is a coming-of-age tale based on the novel by respected Maori author Witi Ihimaera, who will also be introducing the film when it is screened at the arts centre on June 11, 10am.

The coastline of New Zealand's North Island is the setting for this clash between ancient mythology and traditional lifestyles.

And there will be a double bill of Maori stories in Boy by Taika Waititi and The Dark Horse, directed by James Napier Robertson on Saturday, May 28.

The festival also features a double bill of films from Jane Campion: The Piano and An Angel at My Table.

For more information or tickets call the box office on 0845 241 9651 or go to salisburyfestival.co.uk