Dirty Dancing on the big screen at Shugborough

Up to 1,000 movie fans are hoping to have the time of their lives this weekend as a film experience with a difference visits the Midlands.

The hugely popular Outdoor Summer Picnic Movie Nights event hits Shugborough Hall tonight and tomorrow.

The annual spectacular, which this year will feature 1987 classic Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey outing Dirty Dancing, will be broadcast to picnickers who will set up their blankets in the 900 acre grounds of the Staffordshire mansion over the next two days.

An outdoor disco roadshow will kick off proceedings at 7pm to get the masses in the mood for a party, before the film starts rolling at 8.45pm.

A giant screen has been set up on the Doric lawn against the backdrop of the famous stately home, where the film will be projected.

Meanwhile, workers have been setting out white lines marked across the enormous field to set out gangways, exits, gazebo pitches and toilet facilities.

There will also be a full outdoor bar and catering outlets are available for those who fancy a snack.

Visitors are also welcome to take along their own tables, chairs and picnics to munch on while the films are being screened and gazebo spaces are also available to rent for the night.

The event has been organised after similar screenings in previous years proved a hit. Last year's offerings of Mamma Mia and The Rocky Horror Picture Show sold out quickly - and this year is no different, with no tickets left on the door.

Event co-ordinator Ruth Stanway said: "The picnic movies are a lovely event to organise.

"It takes almost all the staff at the estate to pull it off each year and we have to work very, very hard.

"But the atmosphere on the evenings is absolutely electric."

Starring Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach and the late Patrick Swayze, Dirty Dancing tells the story of goody-two-shoes Baby (Grey) who rebels against her strict father by starting up a raunchy relationship with dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze).

Originally a low-budget film by a new studio and with no major stars, the film became a box office smash, particularly praised by critics for its handling of the taboo subject of abortion, and was the first film to sell more than a million copies on home video.

Shugborough estate has an array of other events lined up for the coming weeks, including a Teddy Bears picnic on Wednesday, an open air theatre production of Pinocchio on Thursday and a bank holiday fun day on August 30.