ORGANISERS of a popular North Yorkshire music festival are boosting its national profile – and urging locals to buy their tickets now.

The Forest Of Galtres Festival has received £2,500 sponsorship from Welcome To Yorkshire for a national PR campaign to attract visitors to the event and the wider region.

The committee behind the two-day music extravaganza in Crayke has reserved 1,000 tickets for residents of the surrounding YO61 postcode – available at half price.

The event over the Bank Holiday weekend of August 28 and 29 will be headed by The Lightning Seeds, The Wonder Stuff, Chris Helme, The Beat and Dodgy, supported by around 100 bands and artists playing on four stages.

There will be dozens of different types of beers and ciders and a huge programme of children's and family entertainment.

Event manager Hayley Cooke said: “Last year we kept saying that tickets were selling out and locals thought it was a marketing ploy.

“They turned up on the day expecting to get in and were disappointed, which we don’t want to happen again.

Because it’s on their doorstep we’re charging half price, £15. Proceeds go to numerous charities so we want to raise as much money as we can. We’ve sold about a third of the 4,500 tickets so far and we’re hoping to sell out again.” The event is now in its sixth year, having evolved into a full-blown outdoor event with camping from a small beer festival. All proceeds are donated to charities including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, St Monica’s Hospital in Easingwold and the Arts Barge Project.

Festival director James Houston said: “Galtres Festival is now firmly on the map of major events in North Yorkshire, and while our event attracts thousands of people from within the region, we’re delighted that ticket sales are also coming in from all over the UK and even a few from overseas.

“Our programme is strong and diverse, and the atmosphere of our event is very special and second to none.”

For more information, visit galtresfestival.org.uk