THE popular Pershore Plum Festival is to take on a new look next year with new themed days and a focus on the three day August Bank Holiday event.

Traditionally the eccentric festival celebrating the infamous Pershore plum takes place over the whole month, with events being held every Saturday in the run up to the main weekend.

Next year organisers say there will be less entertainment on the Saturdays before the main event but promise the Plum Festival weekend will be bigger and better than ever.

Angela Tidmarsh, Wychavon District Council Tourism officer, is one of the main organisers of the event.

She said they held a survey, which made it clear a month long festival was considered too long.

"Last year our entertainment costs for the year were pushing £5,000 and we don't have that sort of money," she said. "We are going to tray and cut down a little bit on the Saturdays, but there will still be people in Pershore selling plums and things, but we probably won't have the level of entertainment we have had before.

"We are going to focus a lot more on the bank holiday weekend and try and make it a like a plum extravaganza."

Despite the slight cut back in the run up a number of pre-festival events will still take place, including the race night at Worcester Race Course, plum coach tours, the motorbike meeting and a Plum Princess garden party will be held at the start of August to enable the princesses to take part in the those activities.

Another change is the possibility of the three days each taking on their own theme.

"The Saturday we are probably looking at heritage and retail," said Mrs Tidmarsh. "We will look at the history of the plums and Pershore.

"On the Sunday, we will be looking at a good day, themed as plum fun and healthy living. Possibly including a run in the park and maybe dragon boat racing, as the healthy living part.

"The Monday will be all systems go for the plum day as we know it.

"Hopefully it's going to be bigger and better with more on and slightly different."

Anyone who would like to support the festival through sponsorship can contact Angela Tidmarsh on 01386 565373.