Kellsfest plans are firmly under way with the organising committee planning to extend this year's music and sports festival by an extra day.

The committee are planning to open the marquee on the Thursday night for an open mic evening and are inviting acts to get in touch if they would like to book a slot.

Entry for that evening is free and organisers are hoping the extra evening of music will go down well. The event runs from June 7-10.

Tim Savage, one of the festival organisers, said: “It’s the idea of one of our new committee members John Staples who has knowledge of local open mic sessions and the trend is that they are proving popular. Hence we are going to give this a go."

Friday will see an evening of amateur boxing with boxers from all over the country hoping to take part against local talent.

Whitehaven & District ABC, who co-host the festival with Kells ARLFC, will have all of their available stable in action which will hopefully prove as successful as shows from previous years.

Savage said: "We hope to get all of our stable on the bill, we have a lot of emerging talent coming through the gym at present a long with more experienced lads.

"We hope to have the likes of Ethan Scowcroft, Daniel Peters and Sean Morgan, along with our female boxer Billie Donaldson, who never has a dull fight.

"We are hoping the community gets behind the show, grabbing the tickets and packing the marquee out.”

On the Saturday, a junior football tournament kicks the day off, hosted by Whitehaven Miners AFC. The tournament proved a success the previous year despite the weather.

Organiser Ian Thompson said: "We hope to get teams from all over the county and make this tournament even bigger than in previous years.

"I'm sure it will be a great success."

This is then followed by local derby as Kells' first team take on Egremount Rangers in a classic derby.

Savage added: "It's great we have a local derby taking place at this year's event. It really will add to the whole occasion."

Saturday will finish with a Northern Soul/Ska night which will feature top band the Skatoons from the north east.

The festival will be completed by a free family fun day and of course the Luke King Rugby 7’s tournament.

Savage said: "We host the tournament every year in memory of Luke who was involved with both clubs.

"Last year we went with a junior format, which proved very popular and will go with that again.

"I think with the two clubs working well together we put on a lot of events that has something for everyone.

"It is a costly three or four days to stage and we would be very grateful in any sponsors out there who would like to get involved just to get in touch.”

If you would like to get involved with Kellsfest or can support in any way then please contact Savage on 07785 107960.