Sandwich Festival could be at risk due to a lack of committee members as it marks its 20th anniversary.

Sandwich Festival Association chairman Cllr Mark Moorhouse is calling for more people to help run the event as many committee members have been forced to step down due to ill health or work commitments.

Speaking at a town council meeting on Monday, Cllr Moorhouse explained that the festival could suffer if there were not enough members.

He also said he could no longer continue to run the festival, which takes place every August bank holiday and involves music, stalls, vintage cars and bikes.

He added: “We need someone to take on the running of the festival. The town council was the initiator at the very beginning. I’m now asking whether the council would be willing to take up ownership in setting up another committee to take this forward.

“We are struggling without the man power. Man power is a big issue, we can’t put on a festival without having that.

“None of us are getting any younger, and it’s a huge strain on the committee members.”

The Sandwich Festival Association committee will be holding a meeting for those involved in the festival and others who might wish to join the committee on Wednesday, April 30, at 7.30pm at the Guildhall, Cattle Market.

This will provide an opportunity for the council to decide whether it wishes to take over the administration of the event, and for members of the public to come forward and offer their services.

The festival celebrates its 20th year this summer: it first took place in 1994.

For the full story read this week's East Kent Mercury.