A COMMUNITY has banded together to replace a much-loved festival which has fallen victim to growing red tape.The plug was pulled on this year's Wivenhoe Mayfair, dubbed “Wivstock”, after organisers and the town council failed to agree on licensing details for the venue.

A COMMUNITY has banded together to replace a much-loved festival which has fallen victim to growing red tape.

The plug was pulled on this year's Wivenhoe Mayfair, dubbed “Wivstock”, after organisers and the town council failed to agree on licensing details for the venue.

But now residents have organised and coordinated a new Wivenhoe May Festival which will be held on Monday May 28.

The replacement event has been driven by arts organisations to raise money for charity. Entertainment will include live music - acoustic, folk, jazz, classical, blues and rock - comedy, poetry and art. There will also be a market area.

Jon Chamberlain, festival coordinator, said: “The Wivenhoe Mayfair has been the highlight of my social calendar for many years and the news that it had been cancelled was very disappointing. When I realised how many other people felt the same way I knew we had to do something about it.

“There are so many great musicians, poets and artists around here and they just don't get enough opportunities to perform locally. The success of local organisations like Club Crumpet, Funny Farm, the Folk Club, Unplugged at the Park Hotel and Poetry Wivenhoe show that the talent is here and so is the audience.”

He added: “There has been a tremendous amount of support for the festival already and I know everyone will come together for this day and have a great time.”

Volunteers will help to steward, crew, perform and clean up after the event.

“Wivstock”, which celebrated its 25th birthday last year, attracted thousands of music fans to the town and raised thousands of pounds for charities.

Festival chiefs said they were unable to hammer out contractual terms with the town council over the hire of the King George V field venue.

However, the council said it had to ask festival bosses to sign a contract to hire the venue because of new licensing rules.

Anyone who would like to help raise money for charity, help steward or perform on the stages should email info@mayfestival.org.uk.