THE Darwen Youth Festival, which was staged for the first time in the town last year, is to return this summer.

The event was inspired and organised by the town’s young people led by then 14-year-old Elle Walsh.

Profits from the 2016 event went towards a defibrillator for the town centre in memory of teenager Sky Nicol who died that March.

The idea came from a meeting at Knott Street Youth Centre with borough leisure chief Cllr Damian Talbot and Darwen town councillors.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, July 22, from noon, and entry to the centre will be free.

In 2016 Darwen Town Council provided £3,000 towards running costs with free administrative support from the borough young people’s service.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the council will provide the same level of support this year.

Events in the town centre included a 999 roadshow, a youth stage with local bands playing throughout the day, a climbing wall, bouncy castle and face painting.

At the youth centre in Knott Street there was bubble football on the artificial pitch, market stalls and a one-stop shop for young people with a cafe and arts and crafts.

For more visit www.darwentowncouncil.org.uk.