THE team behind the Lechlade Music Festival are keeping everything crossed following news the event has been shortlisted for a national award.

The three-day family-friendly event, which takes place annually at the end of May, has been shortlisted for Small Festival of the Year at the National Outdoor Events Association Awards.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the end of November.

“We’re so excited,” said Jennie Rainsford, festival director. “We are a very small, largely voluntary team.

“To be recognised for all the work that goes into making Lechlade Festival such a great event and shortlisted for a prestigious industry award is fantastic.”

The seventh annual festival takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend from May 26 to 28, 2017.

It follows on from the hugely successful 2016 festival, where over 4,500 festival goers enjoyed a sun-soaked weekend of live music with The Proclaimers, Doctor and the Medics, a Pink Floyd tribute and more than 70 bands in a packed programme.

The festival has also been nominated for ‘Best Festival’ in the annual Cotswolds Awards.

Public voting closes on November 7 and winners will be announced later that month.

You can vote via cotswoldsawards.co.uk/vote-in-the-2016-cotswolds-awards.

What’s more, organisers have also recently announced that residents from neighbouring towns and villages can enjoy discounted ticket prices for next year’s festival.

To date, only residents within the GL7 3 postcode have enjoyed a specially-discounted weekend ticket, but now organisers have extended the offer to include Lechlade’s neighbouring towns and villages.

Residents in nearby Fairford, Faringdon, Eastleach, Quenington, Hiighworth and beyond will benefit from savings of up to £30 per ticket.

“We want to entice in more locals to enjoy this fabulous festival,” said Jennie.

“There are so many local people who haven’t yet ventured to the event.

“People are cautious, believing it’s a scary rock gig for kids. We want them to come and experience the weekend for themselves and see how fun, relaxed and family-friendly it is.

“There are so many types of music to enjoy, there really is something for everyone; our audience age ranges from 3 months to 80 plus.

“We’re aiming to buck the trend of rising festival ticket prices; the Very Early Bird Local’s Ticket is even cheaper than 2016.”

Anyone living within GL7 3, GL7 4, SN6 7, SN7 7, SN7 8 postcodes qualify for the discounted tickets.

Visit lechladefestival.co.uk for more information.