The people behind Jazz Jurassica have announced they will be stepping down from running the annual jazz festival in Lyme Regis and are instead shifting their focus.

Last held in June over the Queen's Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend the festival was an annual event in Lyme Regis. It featured four days of jazz at the Marine Theatre, in the square outside the theatre and along Marine Parade.

Now the organisers behind Jazz Jurassica have now confirmed that they will be stepping down from running the festival, saying it was incredibly demanding and at times stressful - so have chosen to reluctantly move on.

They’re hopeful a new, different festival might reappear with others in the driving seat.

Julie Sheppard, director of Jazz Jurassica said: “We realise this will disappoint the festival’s many fans. The decision hasn’t been easy.

"We’re immensely proud of what we’ve achieved with the festival but running it has become increasingly demanding. So, it prompted us to look at how we might retain the vibe but in a different format."

Originally the Lyme Regis Jazz and Blues Festival, it was taken over by Julie Shepard and David Kitson six years ago and renamed Jazz Jurassica. It was one of the country’s few independently financed festivals - was run largely by volunteers - and featured many acts both large and small over the years.

Julie Shepard is upbeat about the future as the organisation changes its approach, and said: “The programme we’re launching this autumn reflects the shift in focus. We will now channel our energies into events throughout the year. We’re passionate about live music and giving everyone a great night out. So, check out our new website to find out what’s coming.”

It will be kicking off with shows by The Great British Soul & Blues Revue on Friday, October 21 featuring a star-studded lineup of Jo Harman, Mike Mayfield, Eddy Smith and Joanna Cooke.

On Friday, November 11 Snazzback will be performing a dance-oriented fusion which is fuelling the popularity of jazz with younger audiences.

They will be bringing back the jazz supper club to a new home in The Gateway Theatre in Seaton, which will be launched on Saturday, November 19 with a performance by Lianne Carroll.

The final event they have announced is a performance by soul-blues songstress Georgia Van Etten, which will be on Friday, December 9.

More information and tickets from: www.jazzjurassica.co.uk.