ORGANISERS of Porlock's forthcoming arts festival are counting the cost of a thoughtless thief who walked away with their key promotional aid. A new £150 banner advertising the event was put on railings outside the village's visitor centre on Saturday afternoon. But just over 24 hours later it had disappeared, leaving a massive hole in organisers' attempt to raise awareness of the festival. Visitor centre manager Denise Sage, who put the banner up, said everyone was furious and horrified by the theft. "It's our main advertising tool and as the festival starts next Thursday we haven't got time to have another one made. "We just couldn't believe it when we discovered it had been taken. It's absolutely no use to anyone else. "We've searched the surrounding area in case it has just been dumped but there's no sign of it anywhere. "We would like to appeal to anyone who knows where it is to return it." The banner was attached to the railings with at least 14 fixings so would have taken some time to remove. It was bought with a grant from the Exmoor Events and Festivals budget and was being used for the first time this year. "The committee behind the festival have worked very hard organising the 2005 event and this is something they just don't need," said Mrs Sage. The four day festival runs until September 11 and has a SeaBritain theme to mark Porlock's nautical links and national celebrations commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. It features a range of entertainment and activities, from a writing workshop for like-minded adults who want to have fun with words to the multi- media extravaganza, Salt Upon the Shore, which includes stories in song and music with sound and visual effects. Well known storyteller Michael Dacre will lead a gentle 'Smugglers Walk' from Porlock Weir on the second day of the festival, followed by an evening performance in Porlock Village Hall of All the World is a Stage by the Travellers Theatre Group. Young people will be the focus for the Saturday programme when animator Richard Tomlinson demonstrates the stages of creating a short animated feature, from storyboard to voice-overs. This special workshop for ten to 18-year-olds has just 12 places so booking is essential. Adults are catered for from 11am to 1pm at The Anchor and Ship Hotel at Porlock Weir when Matt Harvey and the Moor Poets will be entertaining audiences. And at the same time - 11am - a leisurely eight- mile stroll through scenery which inspired romantic poet Coleridge to write some of his best known work is the aim for the Person from Porlock walk, which sets off from St Dubricius Church in Porlock. 'Saturday Night with the Media' sees BBC news journalist script co-ordinator Tom Bishop and BBC script writer Dan Hall join forces with Tim Teeman from The Times, radio and television actress and shepherd and farmer and writer and television personality David Kennard. The final day offers a unique opportunity to hear Sam Smith, local poet and author, read some of his work at a free event at Porlock Visitor Centre from 10am. But the culmination of the festival will be a special afternoon of stories, anecdotes and tea when the event's patron, renowned author Margaret Drabble, joins fellow acclaimed writer Nell Dunn, local round the world yachtswoman Naomi Cudmore and mother and daughter duo Sue Riches and Victoria Humphries who form the Frigid Women. The line-up making up 'Tea with the 21st Century Heroines' will be in Porlock Village Hall. More details about all the events and ticket bookings is available from the visitor centre on 01643 863150.