A POPULAR family festival will return to Bromsgrove after being cancelled last year due to a shortfall in revenue.

After a decade in Stoke Prior, Wizzafest moved to Droitwich Equestrian Centre in 2016, but the festival's future fell into question when the event left organisers £1,700 short of making any profit.

The blow forced organisers to cancel last year's event, and consider moving the festival - which is Worcestershire's largest fundraiser for Macmillan - out of the county.

But public donations and the generosity of businesses involved mean the event will be returning to Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club on July 27.

Founder Emma Wilcock said: "Our regular festival-goers were devastated when we had to cancel.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

"We held a couple of benefit evenings and set up a Go Fund Me page, which raised £900 towards making up the deficit.

"Then our security company Spears Worldwide stepped in and agreed to cover the festival for two years at cost - basically they're doing it for free.

"The new managers at Stoke Prior Country Club were gutted we had moved locations and said they would figure out a way to accommodate us. They refurbished the venue and offered it to us for free, which means we can come back without the risk of not being able to pay for it.

"It all confirmed the support we've got for the festival and how much people want it to continue."

To celebrate Wizzafest's grand return, this year's event will feature an extra day of live acts, and organisers have revealed a revived programme of performances.

This year's line-up includes Bromsgrove's Someone at the Door samba band and Got 2 Sing choir, The Jive Aces, Stuart Bishop, Funkinsteins and Chain of Fools.

New to this year are interactive stalls and a holistic area offering massages, yoga and Zumba.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

"Wizzafest is moving into an exciting new direction with the return to Stoke Prior and a big welcome to an extra day of performances on Sunday," said Emma. "We are extremely excited to be returning to our Stoke Prior venue this year under the new management.

"We hope to see many local supporters coming to join us in this unique community family event. Help us to make a difference to those affected by cancer."

Early bird weekend tickets (available until May 1) cost £35 for adults, £10 for under-16s and free for children under the age of five. One-day tickets are also available. Visit wizzafest.com for more information.