THE new chairman of the Leys Festival has said he will try to make the event “bigger and better” after the previous organisers backed out.

Daniel Jones, who lives in Greater Leys, has become the head of the steering group helping to set up this year’s event.

Previous organisers, the Oxfordshire Play Association, said the festival took up too much time and resources.

Mr Jones, 39, stepped up after Oxford City Council put out a plea for helpers.

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He said: “I just thought it would be a good thing to do for the community.

“Being the chairman is about listening to everybody else’s opinion and trying to draw the table together.”

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Kadie O’Callaghan, nine, has fun in the Zorb ball at last year’s event.

The festival, which was restarted in 2013 after it was cancelled in 2011 due to a lack of organisers, attracted thousands of people in September.

Held in Blackbird Leys Park, the family event had more than 50 stalls, games and activities. Most of them were free or only £1.

Mr Jones, a stay-at-home dad of three, said: “We’re trying to have a look at the people who came last year and get those back.

“We’re also trying to make the festival a little bit bigger in terms of having a sectioned-off area for events, maybe a dog show or contest for the kids, something different from last year, rather than just mainly lots of stalls.

“We want it to be bigger and better, with more people.”

The steering group, which has met twice so far, will now run the event with the help of council staff.

There are 11 people in the group, but Mr Jones is seeking more organisers.

He said: “People are on board, there’s quite good community support.

“It’s just a matter of trying to manage it now.

“It’s one of those things where the more people there are the better.

We’re always looking for more people who can help.”

To raise the profile of the group, Mr Jones has set up social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter, with more than 200 people following in less than a month.

He is also a member of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, which has backed the event.

Council chairman Gordon Roper said: “The steering group is deciding what the format will be and what will be available on the day.

“Nothing is concrete yet, it’s still in its infancy.”

Last year the council gave £6,000 to organisers, covering half the event’s costs.

For more information on the festival, which is due to be held on September 5, have a look at twitter.com/leysfestival or visit facebook.com/pages/Leys-Festival/655524964569649.

Those interested in taking part or joining the steering group to help organise events should email dgrowcott@oxford.gov.uk or call 01865 252373.