THE aptly named Priming The Pump festival got underway in Westbury yesterday evening to raise money to help the famous Village Pump make a full come back.

The fundraising festival is being held all weekend at White Horse Country Park and camping and parking is free.

A spokesman said: "The new event is set to be held at the White Horse Country Park in Westbury between 21st – 23rd July 2107, camping for tents, caravans and motorhomes will be available as usual & camping and parking is FREE.

"The event will be smaller this year, with one stage instead of three, but with plenty of opportunities to get involved including workshops and open mic sessions. There will be a wide range of music genres & a ceilidh

"We will also hold a raffle & there will be a merchandise stall with Tee-shirts, CDs & craft items all on sale to raise much needed funds to take us forward on a safe financial footing for the future.

"Following demand by our Pumpers, & after the long standing success of events at Stowford & Westbury, a group of the original Village Pump Festival team have re-instated the tradition of good music & entertainment with a fundraising weekend to be known as Priming the Pump."

On Friday five acts took to the stage and there were many more to follow on Saturday and Sunday including Mango Chutney, Reg Meuross, Roving Crows, Praire Dog, Ben Magga and Billy in the Lowground.

Site Director Jerry Gale said:” We  are determined to bring the Village Pump back on the festival circuits and I can now announce the pump has been primed with exciting news that the Pump festival is coming home”

   Stowford Manor Farm near Trowbridge, was the spiritual home of the festival for decades and now after six years at Westbury and the announcement  Trowbridge Village Pump  was no more, the festival will return to its picturesque setting at Stowford next July.