ONE of Worcestershire’s most popular music festivals is returning to the county this summer with a mission to break records for a worthwhile cause.

Woo Fest, which raises money for St Richard’s Hospice, will be held on Saturday July 8 at The Drum and Monkey near Upton-upon-Severn, and organisers say it will be suitable for all ages.

Hayley Wharton, aged 38, from Kempsey and a regular attendee at Woo Fest said : “I’m really looking forward to the third Woo Fest. It’s getting bigger and better every year and really is a great family friendly event with fabulous music. We come along with lots of friends, set up for the day and have great fun. It’s also fantastic value, raising money for such a worthy cause!”

This year, the festival is hoping to attract up to 500 people and beat its fundraising total from last year of more than £8000. All of the proceeds go directly to the hospice, thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, bands and technicians providing their time and equipment for free.

A spokesman said: "Now in its third year, the festival aims to be bigger and better than ever before. The event will have two separate stages with a continuous flow of live music throughout the day, beginning at noon.

"There will be activities and events for both adults and children, including a music session run by The Worcester School of Rock and a flypast by a World War II Lancaster Bomber. Games, arts and craft events will also be running."

The event – which is organised by Luke Simons, his sister Ria Simons, both from Northwick and a committee of family and friends – was set up in memory of Luke and Ria’s father John Simons, a local engineer, who was cared for by the hospice before he died in 2013, aged just 66 years.

Luke said: "I have first-hand experience of St Richard’s after my Dad spent the last few days of his life there in 2013. No words can describe how the hospice helped my Dad and my family. He had his own room, we could stay as long as we liked - and even overnight; we played all his favourite music, watched cricket, spent time with him on his own private patio next to the pond and celebrated his granddaughter’s, my daughter’s’ third birthday. During all of this, he also had amazing nursing care."

Further details about Woo Fest on, 07740 061453.