THE directors of a popular Somerset festival have announced that this year's event will be the last.

The Shindig Festival, which will run from May 23 to May 26, will take place at the Dillington Estate.

Now in its tenth year, the event, which started out as being a party for the friends of the Ghetto Funk record label, has suffered from delayed ticket buying and a lack of Government support.

This is the plight of many other independent festivals, too. Over 20 others have sadly cancelled or decided to call it a day this year alone.

The organisers have said that they are committed to making the last festival "one to remember".

Will Lardner, from Shindig Productions, said: “We would rather go out on our terms than have to compromise what we have created.

"We care too much about delivering the best parties we can and refuse to make major changes that don’t fit with our ethos just to continue.

"As sad as we are to announce the last ever Shindig Festival, let’s make it one to remember. We are throwing everything we have at it and going to make this the best weekend we have ever created.

"We owe that to everyone.”

Acts at the festival will include Groove Armada (DJ Set), Brand New Heavies, Kurupt FM, Ewan McVicar, Congo Natty, Mad Professor, John Morales, DJ Rap and Greg Wilson.

Shindig Festival has been voted as Best For Family Rave by Festival Kidz and is recommended by Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis.

The festival has no main stages and has a wide range of entertainment for all ages.

The event's website explains further: "Shindig isn't all about the music, dancing, fancy dress, food and drink, camping and hanging with friends.

"Expect lots of random performances from Interstellar Circus (interstellarartists.co.uk) from drag queens, disco divas to sword swallowers.

"And the weekend wouldn’t be the same without a heart-in-your-mouth performance from Pirates of the Carabina with their raucous, ingenious and insane talent."

Mojo Fell and Simon Clarke, co-directors, said: “It’s the people that come to our festivals that have made them so special.

"This is a call out to Shindiggers past and present - now is the time to get your tickets! Don't miss the end - it will be the stuff of legends. We couldn’t have got this far without you.”