IT’S an award winning weekend of family fun and it’s set to return in 2018.

Wickham Festival organisers have declared this year’s outing the biggest and best yet after breaking box office records and have already released dates for next summer with early bird discounts and even better savings for returning customers.

More than 20,000 music fans poured into the tiny Hampshire village to see the likes KT Tunstall, 10CC, Show of Hands and the Levellers. A brand new late night comedy tent was headlined by Tom Walker, aka internet sensation Jonathan Pie, the fictitious British news reporter with the brutally honest views on politics and entertainment.

The event endured a difficult start as unprecedented rain turned the site into a quagmire just hours before it was due to open. Other festivals across the country were cancelled, but staff worked tirelessly to turn the event into a triumph.

Early bird tickets are already on sale for 2018 with fans who attended this year’s festival being given until August 15 to claim a £60 saving for the event, which will take place between August 2 and 5.

Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “It’s our way of thanking people for their backing. We have already had a lot of bookings for next year. We have had a fantastic festival; the feedback has been phenomenal.

For details, visit wickhamfestival.co.uk