MUSIC enthusiasts will be descending on Kirkby Stephen this year as the town forum plans to stage a four-day music festival in September.

Chris Slater, of the town forum, addressed the town council in the hope of getting support to apply for a grant through the Promoting Eden scheme.

The celebration of music is being planned to attract more people to the town in the absence of the walking festival this year.

Mr Slater said the idea was mooted last May and the steering group held a meeting last week to discuss a preliminary budget. The event will run from September 1-4.

"We are hoping it will be an incredibly eclectic event - it will include all sorts of things," said Mr Slater. "We will be looking at cultural diversity locally as well as stuff from further afield such as Asian music and Irish music.

"It will be a great cultural menagerie as we go around the world in 80 hours. There's a lot happening locally with things springing up musically here. There's a groundswell of musical activity in Kirkby Stephen and I think that means the town can carry a music festival now."

Mr Slater suggested a preliminary figure of £60,000 was needed to run the project. Town council chairman Alex Birtles said it sounded "fascinating" and "encouraging" and the council agreed in principle to support a bid for funds.