IT'S final countdown time to the most ambitious date in the entertainment calendar of Okehampton.

Bank Holiday Monday sees Simmons Park spark into life with an explosive mix of pop, classical and pyrotechnics.

At the third attempt the seemingly impossible has been achieved. Now the bunting is up, the town is buzzing — and First Aid Music Day is here at last.

This week the latest to add their name to the long list of those who have made donations have been Okehampton Town Council with £500 and Heinz who donated £1,000.

Festival co-ordinator Suzanne Watt, who is also office manager at the Okehampton Times, has been involved since the launch of the original idea to hold a three-day music festival.

Suzanne said the aim was to boost morale and raise funds for rural communities suffering in the wake of the crippling foot and mouth crisis.

'People were disappointed that it didn't happen before so we pulled out all the stops for Bank Holiday Monday. That was probably the last date in the year for us to do something significant in an outside venue,' she said.

The entertainment line-up features 60s and 70s bands Marmalade, Swinging Blue Jeans, The Fortunes, The Wurzels and The London Community Gospel Choir.

In the evening, the musical tack changes with the 75-piece English Symphony Orchestra performing Last Night at the Proms — which concludes with a spectacular firework finale.

'It is not the line-up we had previously but it's more than the area has ever seen in one day. I believed that it could be achieved — and I believed the community would support it,' said Suzanne.

Organisers have been working on the project since March 31 — five months of planning, including two postponed events and a dogged determination to hit third-time lucky.

'At one time it seemed the odds were definitely against it and that the event had a death wish,' said Suzanne.

'No matter where we turned there were objections or blockages — but we knew it was possible if everyone worked together.'

Suzanne said the reason the festival suffered two postponements had nothing to do with the organisation of the events.

'People were saying it was such a shame and couldn't anything be done to salvage it. I felt responsible because I'd started the ball rolling — and I felt a total commitment to do something.

'Now it is happening and it is something totally different. This type of thing hasn't been done in the town before.'

Okehampton Chamber of Trade chairman Ian Bailey said it was now 'full steam ahead' for the festival.

'I'm getting some very good reports from the ticket sales — the interest from local people has increased dramatically. It will be a great day and all it needs is for everybody to get out and enjoy themselves.'

He said the whole idea was to start the rejuvenation of the town.

'The event is to help beleaguered businesses and people that have been badly hit this year. I'm sure local people want to see it a success and will make it a success.'

Mr Bailey said that hopefully Monday's Music Day would be the start of what could become a regular event.

'We need this to be a success for further years — I don't think Okehampton has ever seen anything of this scale before. I'm hoping this is the start of an annual festival, hopefully getting back to the original idea of three days.'

Okehampton Town Council clerk John Winchester said members had made the donation of £500 because they wished to enable the community initiative to prosper.

l Humans may enjoy the thrills of a top flight firework display — but cats and dogs are less enthusiastic.

Okehampton and Hatherleigh Cats Protection League are reminding people to keep their pets indoors during the display which will bring the First Aid Music Day to a dramatic close on Monday.

'To minimalise distress keep them away from the flashes and loud bangs that would frighten them,' said spokesman Nathan Feaver.

l The First Aid Music Day will be the major event in a weekend packed with activity in Okehampton — on Sunday the popular Neal Cousins Memorial Day takes place in Simmons Park (see page 3). The First Aid Music Day organisers have provided marquees for use at the memorial day.

And as well as the First Aid Music Day, Bank Holiday Monday also sees the town centre buzzing for the annual Dumplin' Day.