The county's first major music festival going ahead this summer is offering free tickets to NHS and key workers.

Black Deer Festival, which will take place at Eridge Park near Tunbridge Wells later this month, is inviting 1500 NHS and key workers as guests to the festival as a thank you for their efforts during the pandemic.

With some members of the team having been personally affected by the pandemic and having seen first-hand the work and sacrifices made by so many, they felt it was important to show appreciation and gratitude.

Some 500 tickets have been allocated for each day of the festival and NHS and key workers are encouraged to apply to the ballot with the option to request additional family and friends tickets with a 50% discount.

Applications are open until tomorrow night at 23.59pm.

“This is just our way of showing our appreciation, giving you something to look forward to and importantly have some fun at,” said co-founder Deborah Shilling.

The festival, which runs from Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27, will feature a line-up including Van Morrison, Robert Plant’s latest collaboration Saving Grace with Suzi Dian, Irish roots superstar singer and songwriter Imelda May, award-winning songwriter Jake Bugg and emerging UK Americana artist Jade Bird.

Showcasing music across multiple stages, the Americana festival is also a family staycation destination.

Organisers Gill Tee and Deborah added: “We’re very excited to be able to push our plans, bring together our beloved community for a 2021 edition of Black Deer and deliver one hell of a (safe!) summer party. The UK live music industry has been hit hard and we feel it is so important to support our artists, their teams and the wider festival community at the earliest opportunity."

To apply for the free tickets go to blackdeerfestival.com

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