A new festival for Southampton will go ahead with funding from a major organisation. 

Riverfest will celebrate the River Itchen with a free day of performance, music art and science.

Artist Catherine Wright and environmentalist Mandi Bissett have been awarded £8,500 from the Big Lottery Fund to put on the family friendly day in Riverside Park. 

Co-founder of popular band the Southampton Ukelele Jam and Southampton Fringe associate artist Ms Wright, who lives on a houseboat in St Denys, said the day will be “fun for all ages, with kids’ activities, workshops, talks, music from local bands, and local artists showing their work."

She added: “Environmentalism is an important part of it - we want to get excited about the natural world around in and around our river - water, tides, stars, wildlife. We've got fantastic support from several University of Southampton departments already.

“We were inspired by a talk at the Culture City event last year. Author Stella Duffy spoke about festivals that bring artists and scientists together. I work in the arts and Mandi is an environmentalist so it spoke directly to us.

"A local organisation called Southampton Collective helped us to apply for the funding. We got the good news a couple of weeks ago so now it's full steam ahead.”

And now they’ve got the cash, the pair are putting the call out for Southampton arts and river -lovers to get involved. 

Catherine said: “We really hope local people who love the river as much as we do will want to come together and be part of this. We need help in every possible way – performers, artists, environmentalists, historians, boaters, stewards – you name it, we need it.

“Our friends at the St Denys Art of Heritage Festival which takes place in September have offered us loads of advice and support already. That event is a great example at what the community can achieve when it comes together. We want to be as good as they are!”

Riverfest will take place on May 27 at Riverside Park.