THIS year’s Drunken Monkey Festival will be bigger and better, say organisers.

And it’s all about building on success.

A spokesman said: “The event started as a one day event at the Drum and Monkey pub near Upton to raise money for charity in the memory of local rock fan and biker Ian Downton and was organised by his friends. “The group of friends and volunteers have worked hard over the last two years to build the festival up and grow it to a three day event.

“The third Annual Drunken Monkey Rock Festival will be much bigger and better than before with three days, two stages and featuring more than fifty bands and with free weekend camping.”

The spokesman added: “Bands include some of the UK’s top tributes as well as local favourites, all of which are pledging their time and performances for free in order to support the festivals chosen charity - Midlands Air Ambulance. We have a fantastic new ten acre site approx one mile outside Upton itself that provides onsite camping and parking too.”

There will be a variety of trade stands, bars, food stalls and even a general store.

The spokesman said: “Campers will have the benefit of well maintained toilets and showers too to stay fresh all weekend.

“We have a celebrity compere for the main stage on Saturday - The legendary Krusher Joule, ex-director of Kerrang Magazine and friend to many of the worlds top rock gods!”

The dates for the diary are August 5 to August 7. The festival website can be found here: www.drunkenmonkeyrockfest.co.uk