THIS summer's Maidstone River Festival will be held over three days - to celebrate the event's 25th anniversary.

The festival will take place between Friday and Sunday, July 23 to 25 - not on the last weekend of July as usual.

River Festival committee chairman David Knight said: "There have been opinions expressed for a number of years to extend the event to three days. As this is our silver jubilee we felt it was a good opportunity to do that.

"We normally get anywhere between 20,000 and 40,000 people at the Festival at any one time. We normally reckon to get about 240 boats, from the Medway and even from Essex."

This year's event will include a French market held on a section of the lower High Street on the Friday and Saturday and street entertainment in the town centre

Although the final programme has yet to be finalised, this summer's festival will begin on the Friday with a day of fun for all the family.

On the Saturday there will be a raft race at 3pm, a best dressed boat competition, illuminated boat display and a 25th anniversary firework display.

There will also be live music and dance, live bands and the chance for visitors to see the scores of boats moored on the Medway. A family fun day will also be held at the Lockmeadow complex.

*Any businesses that would like to make a donation to the festival or get involved in sponsorship is asked to obtain more information by logging on to www.maidstoneriverfestival.co.uk