IT IS normally the home of the sharks but for one weekend only, the County Ground will see plenty of cats, cows and dolphins when it hosts a yoga festival.

The fourth annual Brighton Yoga Festival takes place at Sussex Cricket Ground in Hove this Saturday and Sunday.

The festival will feature more than 100 yoga classes, therapy and meditation sessions, specialist and kids yoga classes, talks about yoga and well-being, and special surprises.

It is the first year the event has been held at the cricket ground in Hove which organisers said will provide a “relaxing and contemplative” environment”.

Organisers expect the festival to continue its year-on-year growth which has seen it become the UK’s largest free entry yoga festival.

More than 3,000 attended last year at the Brighton Dome while for its first two years it was held in St George’s Church in Brighton.

Organisers say by moving to two days it will help to reduce queues and provide more varied offering with with more classes, speakers and stalls than ever before.

The festival is focusing on residents who have never tried yoga before with experienced yogis on hand to give advice.

It is produced by registered charity the Brighton Yoga Foundation which aims to get the whole city doing yoga and to spread the physical and mental benefits of yoga to the wider community.

Doors will open at 9.45am until 7pm on Saturday, and from 9.45am to 6pm on Sunday.

The Festival is funded by sponsors and retailers but those attending classes will be asked to make voluntary donations to help cover the costs.

People wishing to attend are urged to book in advance online.

Organiser Davy Jones said: “Our growth over the years has been astronomical so I’m not sure that we can grow that much bigger.

“We had 3,000 people at Brighton Dome last year and we expect to get a couple of thousand each day this year.

“The Dome was great but the cricket ground is going to be a much more relaxing and contemplative environment.”

For more information and to book sessions, visit brightonyogafestival.org.