THE fundraising team behind one of the biggest events on the Hatherleigh social calendar is appealing for donations from local businesses to help support the event.

Fundraising has begun in earnest for the Hatherleigh Festival, an annual event that brings music, art, workshops and more to the town during the summer. The festival committee is already busy planning original and creative events to entertain and excite those attending, and is looking to find funds to help the 2013 be the best yet. The team needs more than £6,000 to ensure the festival can go ahead bigger and better than ever before.

Event organiser John Morris said: 'After a cracking event in 2013, this year we are going all out again with an extensive and incredibly varied schedule of acts, workshops and exhibitions. The action will be centred, as in previous years, on the town square marquee, with Friday night and Saturday given over to many free concerts and events.

'The funding for this year's event will come from grants, ticket sales from the chargeable events and, most importantly, from our local sponsors. Without the help of our generous sponsors we just couldn't make this festival the experience it is.

'The festival was conceived with the specific aim of introducing new and exciting experiences to people in the local area. The wealth of positive social and economic benefits that an event like this brings to our community and our businesses can not be understated. It is a focal point of the year that bonds and unites the community both young and old.'

All sponsors will have their business or name promoted in the festival guide, on the festival website and at specific events, and organisers are aiming to promote sponsors as much as possible throughout the festival.

To find out more call John Morris on 07940 400970 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]