A CAMPAIGN to put on the first free music and arts festival in Colchester for almost a decade has raised £1,000.

Now the race is on to raise another £6,000 to £10,000 needed to fund the festival, called Colchester!

The event, which will include a main stage, an acoustic stage, children’s area, stalls and refreshments, is due to take place in Castle Park on September 18.

Ben Howard, from non-profit music promotions group Keep Colchester Cool, said: “Everything is looking very positive and people seem really keen to get involved.

“We still need volunteers to come forward, but our main priority is to raise the funds we need to hold the event.

“In two weeks we have managed to raise about £1,065 which is fantastic, and now we plan on holding a series of fundraising events.”

Mr Howard said the team was still looking for local sponsors, stall-holders and donations.

Scores of people, including organisers of the Wivenhoe May Fair and Slack Space Colchester, have joined forces to help organise the community event.

Mr Howard launched a campaign to get Colchester a free music festival on social networking site Facebook, in December.

More than 1,500 people have joined the group and Colchester Council has agreed to allow the event to take place in the Upper and Lower Castle Park, from 11am until 7pm.

The first fundraising event will take place on Friday, at the Space, in Queen Street, with a set by DJ Jeff Scott.

The gig kicks off from 7.30pm and people will be asked for donations to the festival on entry.

To request your place at the event, e-mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com.

Anyone who would like to get involved in the festival should contact info@colchesterfreefestival.com or visit colchesterfreefestival.com