THOUSANDS of people are expected to flock to a Hampshire festival offering a flavour of countryside life.

Organisers of this year’s Warsash Festival are hoping to match the 6,000 visitors to the event back in July 2015 and say the signs are looking promising for a fantastic turnout once again.

The event, held every two years, will run on July 8 between 12.30pm and 4.30pm and will see Strawberry Field off Newtown Road in Warsash transformed into a village fete which will act as a showground for local clubs, businesses and organisations while raising money for good causes.

On offer will be a dog agility display, fun dog show, sea cadet’s display, youth gym team, country dancing by a local school and various demonstrations of fitness routines and dances from several local clubs as well as a Scarecrow competition.

Co-organiser John Kent said: “The festival has evolved into a fantastic community event in Warsash and we are looking forward to returning in 2017.

“It’s fully focused on community in a picturesque location however because of the local focus there is a lot of things to see and do.

“Luckily the weather has always been on our side which has led to a high turnout every time.”

In 2015, organisers raised more than £10,000 which was injected back into the community via charities and local good causes.

Recipients of the events have previously included RNLI Locks Heath & District, Warsash & Locks Heath Community Responders, Warsash Sea Cadets, Stay and Play Children’s Activity Group and the ‘Friends of Hawthorne Court’ Nursing Home.

In 2013, the Festival Committee donated from surplus funds a further £2,500 which was split between five local organisations to assist in the work they do.

Recipients were the RNLI Locks Heath & District, Warsash & Locks Heath Community Responders, Warsash Sea Cadets, Stay and Play Children’s Activity Group and the ‘Friends of Hawthorne Court’ Nursing Home.

Organised by a committee of volunteers, the festival started in 2000 and is held every two years and has grown extortionately to become one of the biggest community festivals in South Hampshire.

Chairman of the organising group, Matthew Chase, who has lived in Warsash all of his life added: “It’s such a good feeling to be able to have the opportunity to bring so many people together in one place and celebrate life in the local community. Seeing so many smiling faces on the day really does makes it all worth it.”

For details, visit stmarywarsash.org.uk/warsash-festival.