A NEW music festival is all set for take-off this summer after raising £42,855 – more than double its initial target – in under two months.

The Samphire Festival, to be held on Porlock Hill from July 8 to 10, sourced the money with 337 backers in 56 days through the Crowd-funder website.

It originally aimed to reach a £20,000 target by Tuesday of this week, but the money flowed in so fast that the target was passed within three weeks.

Organisers Flora Blathwayt and Josh Beauchamp were seeking funding to reach the £40,000 they estimated they would need.

By the initial target cut-off date this week, they had reached £42,855 and announced on their website: “This idea is now a reality – thank you!”

They also said they now have a major Somerset sponsor lined up because of their funding success.

As previously reported, the festival – “two days, two nights, two stages” – offered a number of options for supporters, including a bit of glamping with a few tents providing not just beds, fresh cotton bedding and duvets, but floor rugs, side tables, camp chairs, tea light lanterns, bunting and a welcome pack.

Another offer invited those pledging money to upgrade with a laminated A2 picture of their own or their friends’ faces on one of the loos at Samphire. It was billed as the “perfect surprise present!”

Over 30 live acts and DJs are being lined up for the festival, with a range of music from folk and funk to pop, indie to jazz and disco.