A MUSIC festival featuring seven top bands will be taking place in the Offords this summer to raise money for The Hunts Post New Life Appeal. The Midsummer Music Festival will be held on the Millennium Green on Saturday, June 21. Last year the villages of

A MUSIC festival featuring seven top bands will be taking place in the Offords this summer to raise money for The Hunts Post New Life Appeal.

The Midsummer Music Festival will be held on the Millennium Green on Saturday, June 21.

Last year the villages of Offord D'arcy and Offord Cluny organised a successful battle of the bands event, but this summer's festival will take a different format and, according to the organisers, is "not to be missed".

The line-up includes some of the best bands Huntingdonshire has to offer.

Big10, The Melophobics, Lipstick Torpedo, 9Foldpunch, Mid Life Crisis, Start the Car and Wolves Stole My Childhood have all confirmed they will be playing at the festival,

Nita Tinn, chairman of the Millennium Green Trust, said: "This is a festival with a difference. The bands will be playing a combination of original music and covers and will be donating their time free of charge to support three worthy causes."

She added: "We wanted to support a number of local charities. We think the New Life Appeal is the ideal charity to support because families in this area have a real connection with the special care baby unit and maternity services at Hinchingbrooke Hospital."

Organised by the Millennium Green Trust in association with the Horseshoe Inn and Restaurant in Offord D'arcy, the gates will open at 1pm with the music continuing until 11pm.

A total of 500 tickets are to be sold with the aim of raising £2,000.

Proceeds from the festival will be split between the Offords Millennium Green Trust, The Hunts Post New Life Appeal and Ataxia UK (a charity that supports people with a neurological disorder that affects co-ordination). The New Life Appeal aims to raise £70,000 for the maternity unit and special care baby unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.

Other attractions on the day will include an obstacle course for children and adults, a beer tent, barbeque, trade stands and face painting.

Volunteers are needed to help out on the day and organisers are seeking businesses to sponsor aspects of the event, including refreshments for the bands and stage lighting.

INFORMATION: Tickets cost £5 for adults and £1 for accompanied children. They are available in advance from The Horseshoe Inn, Offord D'arcy or 01480 811218. No admittance to unaccompanied children under the age of 14 years.

To volunteer on the day or to offer sponsorship, visit www.offordmusicfestival.co.uk

- To support the New Life Appeal, get in touch with The Hunts Post news team by e-mailing editor@huntspost.co.uk or phone 01480 411481. You can also write to: New Life Appeal, The Hunts Post, 30 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE29 3TB.