The Pershore River Festival will return following a three-year hiatus.

The free festival hasn’t been held since 2019 due to the pandemic and now organisers are working with Pershore Riverside Youth Centre, the Bell Boat Regatta and Pershore Football Club to bring the event back to the town once more.

Liz Tucker, chair of the Youth Centre, can’t wait to see the popular event return.

She said: “It's great to be holding this fun day at Riverside once again.

“This year's event will start small but we hope to build it back up again to be a major attraction in Pershore's calendar.”

READ MORE: Evesham River Festival 2022 cancelled - here's why

The River Festival will take place on Saturday July 16, held at the Youth Centre and King George’s Playing Fields.

The event will feature both water and land-based events and activities, starting at 10:30am and going on until 3:30pm.

The main spectacle will no doubt be the Bell Boat Regatta, organised by Fladbury Paddle Club and supported by Pershore Town FC

The event, open to all ages and abilities, will see teams of eight to ten people race in bell-boats, a type of large twin-hulled canoe.

In the morning, events will include the Wychavon Parish Games bell-boating along with an inter-school competition.

Later in the day, sports clubs, community groups, businesses, pub teams and everyone in between will be invited to take part in races.

Each team is guaranteed to take part in three races throughout the afternoon, over a distance of 200 metres.

“The Regatta has proved a very successful and enjoyable event over several years,” said festival organisers.

“It's hoped that many will take part to make this an inclusive and enjoyable event after the challenges of the last couple of years.”

There will also be ‘try it’ activities on the water throughout the day, organised by Wychavon Kayak and Canoe Club and Bonkers Activities.

For those looking to keep dry, wildlife displays and talks will be held at the Riverside Youth Centre, organised by Wychavon District Council and Friends of Avon Meadows, and King George’s Field will host a selection of stalls.

Anyone able to help with the festival is asked to contact Mrs Tucker on ltucker2021@btinternet.com while anyone looking for further information on the Bell Boat Regatta should contact Andy Train, Fladbury Paddle Club Chair, on atrain1@btinternet.com.