AN EXTRA day of camping is being offered to festivalgoers for this year’s CarFest.

The annual event, which raises money for Children in Need, will return to Laverstock Park Farm on August 24 – August 26.

However, in a bid to reduce traffic coming in to the festival on Friday, organisers are planning to offer revellers an ‘Early Night’ to set up camp for a fun weekend.

A letter has been sent out to residents in the surrounding areas, including in Overton, to inform them of the new plans and to reassure them there will not be an extra day of music.

In the letter it reads: “We hope these plans will reduce the Friday traffic build-up and therefore reduce the impact CarFest has on its immediate neighbours. 

“The offering will be referenced as the “Early Night” because there will be no live music or alcohol served to campers although some catering outlets in the campsite will provide food.”

The idea of the proposal is to allow no more than 2,000 camping pitches on the Thursday – which is just under 30 per cent of the total number of campers last year.

Local residents with camping tickets will be able to ‘add-on’ Thursday night access should they wish to.

The letter goes on to add: “CarFest will be not be permitting sale of alcohol, and will not be providing late night refreshments, regulated entertainment or live music on the Thursday evening.

“CarFest will be providing security, traffic, first aid and campsite management provisions and personnel to accommodate the visitors’ arrival.

“Traffic management will be briefed as to the local residents’ car passes to facilitate faster access, wherever possible, in and out of their homes.”

Already confirmed to appear at this year’s event are acts such as Jools Holland, Status Quo and Texas with more acts to be announced next month.

For more information and tickets visit carfest.org.