ORGANISERS of a music festival are confident they can put on a Covid-safe event this weekend.

The SouthCider Festival, at Bredy Farm, is from Friday, July 2 until Sunday, July 4.

Organisers say the event will be Covid safe and restrictions are in place.

The festival had been planned when it was thought coronavirus restrictions would be lifted. But after 'Freedom Day' was delayed until Monday, July 19 a risk assessment for the event was completed and it has been given the green light to go ahead.

The festival will have a reduced capacity, half of what the organisers' licence allows. Those who attend will be asks to take lateral flow tests on arrival and people are encouraged to take a test before they leave their homes. There will also be temperature checks, a pre event questionnaire to determine if any attendees have been isolating and those who live in areas where the Delta variant is rising will be unable to attend.

Abi Charlesworth, one of the event's organisers, said: "It's been quite a stressful couple of months but we've managed to get there.

"We've been hit really hard over the past year with a colossal amount of revenue lost. The reason we've fought so hard to put this on is because the industry is in a pretty dire state.

"We chose to work with the council to get their approval and have fortunately been given the green light just in time. We are sure that we can host the event safely, support the industry, artists and production crew, whilst at the same time making it enjoyable for everybody."

She added: "I'm so pleased we're able to go ahead and it is a privilege to be able host this event."

The festival is one of three hosted at the farm each year, based on the outskirts of Burton Bradstock, and is described by organisers as boasting a 'friendly and chilled atmosphere where attendees can relax and let their hair down'.

The music will start from 4pm on Friday afternoon and midday on Saturday and Sunday. Acts include Bare Jams, Bite the Buffalo, Imprints, and Black Water County.

This year's event offered camping and glamping weekend tickets, along with day tickets. All tickets for the event have now been sold.

Bredy Farm will host another two events later in the year, the BeCider Seaside 12, from July 30 to August 1 and the BeCider Seaside 13, from August 27 until August 30.

To find out more about the festival, visit www.bredyfarm.com