BUSINESSES in Middlewich have pledged their support to this year`s Folk and Boat Festival.


Ten firms in the town have give their backing to the special 25th anniversary festival by helping out with funding, making it possible for this year’s FAB Fest to be completely free.


Dave Thompson, Middlewich Town Council events manager, said: “Since the town council took over the running of the event in 2011, the community and festival visitors have welcomed the new, free admission format.


“Our aim is to continue providing free, high quality family activities and entertainment, no mean feat with ongoing austerity plans and rising costs.


“To help with the costs of staging the biggest event of its kind in the north west, I set myself the task of raising much needed funds through the FAB25 Business Support Scheme.


“I`m very pleased to announce these ten businesses have pledged their support this year.”


The Middlewich-based businesses that have climbed on board for this year’s Folk and Boat Festival are: All Your Appliances, Andersen Boats, Bare Bones Marketing, Cliff Dickenson & Sons, Flavour Vapour Middlewich, Melody Corporation, Rainbow Day Nursery, Stage Tech, Town Bridge Motors and Tow Path Talk Magazine.