TICKETS are still available for a three-day movie and music festival at Rawtenstall’s Whitaker Park which starts tomorrow.

The brainchild of local musician Maria Ward, Midsummer Movies & Music will be a showcase of films in Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery over the Summer Solstice weekend plus live music from local bands in the park.

For movie lovers, Withnail & I starts the festival tomorrow night at 7pm. Fantastic Mr Fox will b screened at 11am on Saturday and 24-Hour Party People at 7pm on Saturday.

Rounding of screenings on Sunday will be The Commitments at 3pm.

On the music front, tomorrow there will be an acoustic set by Jamie Stevens in The Whitaker bar and Sam Qureshi playing saxophone before and after the movie. Saturday will showcase Matt Hulme and Mrs Cakehead plus two workshops from the Hooping Harlots hula-hoop troupe at 3pm and 7.30pm, while Jonny Squizzecrow and The Band of Brian top Sunday’s bill.

Rossendale born and bred Maria says: “I love all the local gigs that happen in our area and have joined in with lots of open mic nights over the years; including at The Whitaker. I just had an idea one day to try and put on a weekend at the park that people could enjoy coming to, but also be a part of organising.

“I approached some friends to see if they would like to help and as a result we’ve put together a little group of like-minded local men and women that just want to have fun, listen to music, and watch a few films. We called ourselves ‘The Solsticers’ as we hope to have a Midsummer and a Midwinter event each year but we’ll see how this one goes first!

“Of course, we hope everyone can come down and have a great time, but really the main aim was to show people that you can do something like this if you all put your heads together and work as a team. None of us had done anything like this before but it’s exciting to try something new.”

Tickets for the movies must be purchased in advance but the live music is open to everyone.

There will be a special showing of student short films on Saturday afternoon.

Profits made from the film screenings will be donated to Rossendale Hospice. Operating a ‘pay what you think they deserve’ policy, bands will be playing not for a booking fee but on a donation-only basis.

Maria adds: “Obviously we couldn’t charge people to listen to music in a public park, but I’ve been to gigs before where collection plates are passed round at the end of each act so that the audience can show their appreciation to the musicians on stage.

“Showing support like this to the bands that give up their time and share their talent means that similar events will go on to be even bigger and better, plus your hangover may thank you for chucking a few quid in the bucket instead of opting for another pint!”

Movie tickets are priced at £6.50 per adult for evening films and £2 per person for Fantastic Mr Fox. Details from www.thewhitaker.org