Organisers of the Watchet Music Festival say this year’s event is sold out and a break next year was always part of the plan to allow the team to ‘refocus’ and work out where to go next.

Mark Bale, who runs the event at Parsonage Farm on the outskirts of the town, with his wife Jackie, said: It’s time for a break. It’s the right thing to do. The main factor is the rising costs and we always want to give value for money.”

One of the aims has always been to keep the cost lower than other comparable events so local people can afford it.

The festival, whichattracts a crowd of 5,000 musicfans, started in 2007 and had a break before in 2017. The couple run the event under the auspices of the Watchet Live community interest company that also organises the carnival, the wheelbarrow race and Christmas Eve Santa float.

The government ban on red diesel has meant a threefold increase in energy costs to power the event. There is also uncertainty over the future of the land used for the festival, part of which is now earmarked for development.

Mark said: “The community spirit in Watchet is to be envied. You can never break it but you can suffocate ift by overpopulating the area.”

The Watchet Music Festival runs from the 26th to the 28th August. They like to cater for all tastes. This year artists include Belinda Carlisle, Scouting for Girls, The Fretellis, Level 42 and The Wurzels.