Organisers behind one of Kent's most popular annual festivals warn this year's event will be axed from the calendar - unless they raise £10,000 in a week.

Faversham's Hop Festival has become an "institution" in the town, having grown in popularity ever since its first hosting 32 years ago.

It draws in 20,000 punters and proves to be a big boost for the town's economy.

But the boozy September celebration, which has been on a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, is at great risk of not running this year.

Bosses at Community Heritage Events are desperately appealing for donations of whatever size to help ensure the two-day festival can go ahead.

Colin Jones, a director at the not-for-profit organisation, said: "It's always done on a shoestring budget and it's always difficult trying to make up the costs.

"But it's even more of a challenge this year.

"We've done the numbers and we've come up £10,000 short of the £80,000 budget.

"So we really need the money by the end of the month.

"September may still be far off but we need to make a decision on whether we can host it.

"We have big support from the likes of Shepherd Neame but trying to get sponsorship from the smaller businesses is understandably difficult."

Staging, safety barriers, insurance, medical teams and a multitude of other factors revolving around the event's infrastructure bring up the costs which need to be covered.

As it is a free event for the public, organisers rely on sponsorship to keep it afloat.

"It's the biggest event for the town, bringing in thousands of people," Mr Jones said.

"It'd be a big shame if it couldn't go ahead. It's like an institution in Faversham.

"For a lot of the smaller businesses, it's make or break for them on whether they meet their profit margins for the year - so it'd be wonderful to host it.

"Since launching the appeal we've been very pleased with the response.

"People are chipping in with £10 and £20, it's very good. Every little helps to reaching our target.

"We've so far reached £3,000."

Should it go ahead, the festival will be held across the weekend of September 3 and 4, with an array of live music and stalls on offer.

In an effort to gain support from potential sponsors, organisers are promoting the Faversham 150 campaign - an initiative in which businesses can get a year’s advertising on the festival’s website, social media shout-outs and appear in the programme for £150.

To donate, click here.

If the £10,000 target isn't met, the funds raised will be saved for future festivals.