EXCITING plans have been launched to turn Winsford into an international leisure destination.

Winsford Waterside Festival is the name chosen by residents for a summer extravaganza to celebrate the town's waterways.

A music, dance and theatre event with lots of water sports and taster activities will be held over the August Bank Holiday.

Cllr Damon Horrill, chairman of the task and finish group challenged with co-ordinating the event, said: "Our major objective is to put Winsford on the map nationally and internationally as a waterside town.

"It will be a unique event to show off what you can do on the water and by the side of the water.

"It will be very much a family event which we hope will encourage people to enjoy activities in the water all year round not just during the festival."

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Everyone will have a chance to try out all kinds of water sports including canoeing and kayaking.

"There will be lessons and activities," said Cllr Horrill. "We hope to have boat races and maybe speed boats. This is something people can look forward to.

"There will be live music, arts and crafts, a funfair, food and drink."

Residents have teamed up with councillors to develop the idea.

"We will involve all community groups, the GGO, Winsford Community Forum, The Hive and many many more, " said Cllr Horrill. "We want this to become a town effort."

Winsford Town Council clerk Mark Bailey said: "Now that a name has been chosen for the event, we will turn to planning and preparing for the event itself.

"Covid permitting, we hope to hold it in August of this year and we will be holding a meeting soon to look at all aspects of the event including deciding on advertising open tenders for the various services and entertainment being provided; preparing the venue; identifying funding; and how we advertise and market the event.

"We really hope that this event takes place and helps to put a smile back on the face of people in the town."