A WEST Somerset-based cultural celebration will be promoted nationwide in a bid to encourage more people to visit the district.

Organisers of the third annual Moor 2 Shore arts and leisure festival plan to begin taking bookings for the September event this month.

Cllr Simon Stokes, the arts and leisure portfolio holder for West Somerset District Council, which is jointly organising the festival with the local arts consortium ARTlife, said Moor 2 Shore had quickly established itself.

Moor 2 Shore was launched with the aim of helping local people and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the huge variety of countryside and types of events happening in the area.

The 2003 festival included jazz concerts, arts and crafts, folk dancing, a poetry bus, farm walks, horse-drawn tours and a literary weekend.

More information about the 2004 event is available from the council's community support officer Jo Fewlass on 01984-635207.