ARISTS, performers and community groups are being urged to sign up to be part of Basingstoke Festival.

This event is now in its third year and is set to be bigger than ever when it takes over the borough from June 20 – July 13.

From Friday, January 10, individuals, community groups and organisations can register an event as part of the festival.

Basingstoke Festival aims to bring together an energetic mix of quality events for all ages. Everything from comedy, music or dance to art and craft exhibitions and workshops will be considered as part of the programme.

This year, organisers are keen to see more contributions from rural parts of the borough to make the festival a true representation of grassroots arts and performance throughout Basingstoke and Deane, in a similar vein to the successful Scarecrow Festival staged in Overton last year.

Registration is free and, if accepted into the festival programme, events will receive all the benefits of being part of a flagship festival, including online marketing and inclusion in a programme distributed free to 12,000 people.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s cabinet member for partnerships, Cllr Cathy Osselton said: “Basingstoke Festival is becoming known as a brilliant showcase for arts and performance across the borough, with the full involvement of our emerging home grown talent and community-based groups.

“This year we have an opportunity to build on the successes of the past two festivals and consolidate Basingstoke Festival as an essential calendar date for both locals and visitors, and as a celebration of performance of all types in Basingstoke and Deane.”

To find out more or to register an event, log on to basingstokefestival.co.uk, email festival@basingstoke.gov.uk or call 01256 844844. Registration closes on Friday, March 14.