The Phoenix Festival will return to Cirencester this summer, it has been announced.

The music and arts festival will take place in the Abbey Grounds on August 27 and 28, following a successful fundraising campaign.

Free to enter and entirely organised by volunteers, the festival lost a lot of its funding during its two-year absence as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the Cirencester community quickly raised the £12,000 needed to ensure the popular event could return.

Tribute acts to Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson - Whole Lotta Led and Michael Starring Ben - will be performing alongside an array of local artists.

Whole Lotta Led, the longest running fulltime professional tribute to Led Zeppelin with more than 1,500 shows over 25 years to their name, will be topping the bill on the Saturday in what is their last year of touring.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Whole Lotta LedWhole Lotta Led

On Sunday, Michael Starring Ben features Ben Bowman, who has been touring Europe his spectacular show in honour of the king of pop.

He and his band will showcase the greatest hits of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Michael Starring BenMichael Starring Ben

Festival Manager Glen Moreman said: “We can’t wait to bring The Phoenix Festival back to the Abbey Grounds.

"It’s going to be such a special weekend experiencing live music and performance again with so many fantastic artists and seeing everyone having some long overdue festival fun with family and friends.”

The festival will have two stages, the Cozy Powell Stage and the Phoenix Stage, as well as a performance arena. Local artists and performers have already been contacted and once finalised, further announcements will follow.

There will also be fairground rides, as well as some festival traders, food and drink.

While the festival fundraiser has hit its target, it is still possible to donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/phoenixfestival2021.

All funds will go towards keeping the festival viable in the future.

For more information about the festival go to facebook.com/Phoenix.Festival.Ciren