WALLINGFORD'S biggest festival of the year will be a major boost for the local economy, according to the town's mayor.

About 20,000 people turn up for the BunkFest each year, which is based on the Kinecroft.

Visitors come from across the country for the music, beer and Morris dancing and mayor Ros Lester said their spending gave the town's traders, pubs and hotels a big boost.

Bands playing the festival this year, which runs from Friday, September 2 to Sunday, September 4, include Space Elevator, The Epstein, The Demon Barbers XL and Rusty Shackle.

Mrs Lester said: "It's very difficult to quantify exactly how much money is generated by BunkFest - I know in the past organisers have said it's worth hundreds of thousands of pounds but perhaps it is not quite that much.

"I think it's safe to say that BunkFest brings in thousands of pounds to the town every year - if people are not spending their money in the shops they are spending it in the pubs.

"It's a fantastic festival and people look forward to it all year round.

"The Kinecroft where lots of the bands play is a great open space and is perfect for BunkFest.

Mrs Lester added: "I will be opening the festival on the Kinecroft on the Friday night and in the days before organisers will be setting everything up.

"The Saturday is always very busy, with people coming from far and wide - I really like the Sunday because when I walk around I always see lots of people I know from Wallingford itself.

"People come here and camp and the festival relies on volunteers and lots of them come back year after year.

"We are obviously hoping for good weather, and people should bring a coat along in the evening because it can get a bit chilly at this time of year."

Venues across the town, including the Market Place, will also feature music and other acts.

The Cholsey and Wallingford Railway is a focal point as well, with music on the trains.

BunkFest is named after the Bunkline, which runs from Cholsey to Wallingford.

Town councillor Colin Dolton, one of the festival directors, was unavailable for comment.

For further information visit bunkfest.co.uk