PLANS have been unveiled for a new annual community carnival in West Auckland.

Greg Robinson, chairman of West Auckland Community Partnership, is spearheading the campaign for the new event in an effort to boost community spirit in the village.

Entitled West Fest, the event will be held on a date yet to be decided in the summer and organisers need to raise about £3,000 to enable it to go-ahead.

The one-day festival will include a music concert, which is hoped will take place within West Auckland Football Club, and games, a football tournament and shows suitable for all the family would be held on the village green.

Mr Robinson said: “It made me sad that we don’t have anything like this within the village anymore so I decided I wanted to bring it back.

“I want to see the community spirit return.

“We are going to need plenty of funding as everything costs, including closing roads and insurance.”

Mr Robinson is in talks with West Auckland Parish Council and Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership about possible funding opportunities. He has also set up a fundraising page at gofundme.com/westfestfamilyfun

“I have had a lot of interest so far and I am extremely confident I can get it up and running,” he added. “I have got people helping out that have arranged stuff like this before.

“Obviously it is in the early stages but the main aim is to get the community involved.”

Anyone who is interested in helping out is asked to visit facebook.com/westfestfamilyfunday or email westaucklandfamilyfunday@gmail.com