The organiser of a ska and reggae festival is celebrating after being given free use of Down Town Hall for the event.

White Cliffs Ska Reggae, on February 14, will include a two-hour play-off from Channel One Sound System and performances from bands Hey Maggie and Hey Rudi.

Organiser Deborah Gasking said the free use of the town hall, which holds 600 people, was a “magnificent gesture”.

She told the Mercury: “I saw the email and I prepared myself for it not to happen.

“I had to read it twice before I realised the council was letting me have it.”

Ms Gasking said the ska and reggae day would be “something different for Dover”.

She is recognised for organising the White Cliffs Blues festival in June this year. Its success spurred the mother-of-two to carry on.

She added: “I have learnt a lot from the blues festival.

“I know where to put leaflets out and I know now how to do it because I am building on what I did learn.”

Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC cabinet member for access and property management, said: “We are very pleased to be able to help support the White Cliffs Ska Reggae event by waiving the hire fee for Dover Town Hall on this occasion.

“We continue to work to help support community events across the district, and wish this event on February 14 every success.”