ONE of north Wiltshire’s most unique events returns soon as Sherston prepares its pop-up village.

More than 40 temporary stalls and shops will be set up around Sherston to create a pop-up village for the weekend.

Residents will be offering their own coffee shops in kitchens, juggling masterclasses in gardens and milkshake bars in garages.

The festival launched in 2013, claiming the title of the ‘world’s first pop-up village’, raising more than £4,000 for local causes in the process.

Kirsty Strachan, who organises the festival, is looking forward to making this year’s bigger and better than before.

“It’s about a community coming together,” she said.

“People open up their homes and gardens for everyone to enjoy.

“The comments from 2013 were that it was like stepping back in time in the village, with everyone coming together in the community.

“We could have easily had 45 people hosting cake and tea stalls but Sherston have come up with amazing ideas.

“We’re only a small village but people get involved with the community.

“There’s a saying here: ‘well only in Sherston’.”

The wonderfully quirky festival kicks off on Friday when a former MasterChef contest will be serving up fish and chips for a village movie night, where residents can rent DVDs, buy popcorn and get ready for the weekend ahead.

This year proceeds are going to Sherston Primary School, Busy Hands Pre-School and the Sherston Toddlers group.

“The charities will benefit virtually every child in the village and many in the surrounding area to,” said Kirsty.

“We are hoping to raise money to complete some pretty exciting projects and we hope these causes will inspire [people] to get involved.

“One of the things we’re raising money for is the fitness trail in Sherston Primary that the school are trying to extend.”

Pop-up Sherston is running from Friday to Sunday, May 13-15.

For more information on the festival visit popupsherston.com