From 10.30am to 5pm, the town's Guildhall will be alive with the sound of minuets to country dances, as period dance troupe Nonesuch leads a host of beginners' classes in Georgian and Regency dances.

"We are very excited that Nonesuch have accepted to host the dance day," said heritage festival spokeswoman Helga Brandt.

"They are well known dance experts and will lead their classes in wonderful period costumes. To take part, you don't have to have previous knowledge about all theses dances.

"It is supposed to be a fun way of exploring the Georgian and Regency periods and at the same time feel like being in a Jane Austen film. Nothing is as evocative of the Georgian period as the music, dance and clothes – the dance day will be a delight to take part in."

Other weekend events across the town will include the Goergian weekend at Ickworth house on Saturday and Sunday, Georgian food and drink at the Malthouse, in Bury, guided tours of the town from the Tourist Information Centre, literary days at the library and performances of the Georgian comedy Wives As They Were and Maids As They Are at the Theatre Royal.

Georgian Gem forms part of a new heritage project led by the town's Theatre Royal, called Populating the Past. The project aims to research and discover more about Georgian history and drama. It was awarded a £49,800 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Georgian Gem runs until September 21.

For more information on festival events, contact the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01284 769505, visit www.theatreroyal.org/georgiangem or take a look in LifeStyle - free inside the Bury Free Press each week.