THE new look Okehampton Battle of the Bands is being incorporated into a charity music festival being held this May Bank Holiday weekend.

The Open Arms Music Festival is being held at The Kings Arms on Saturday, May 26.

A free entry event, donations are being welcomed for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and the MS Society. In keeping with previous years, the event is being promoted as inclusive to all, family friendly and open to all ages, with guests allowed to bring a picnic with them.

Local favourites Anything for a Fiver will kick off the event at 2pm with their acoustic shenanigans, before the Battle of the Bands commences with five bands vying for prizes, including a prestigious billing at Chagstock 2019. The five bands competing are The Pretty Idle from Tavistock, Such Creatures from Exeter and Bad Seed, Downfall and The Axis who are all based in Okehampton.

Once the Battle of the Bands portion of the festival is complete, the music continues outside until 9.30pm, with sets from Three Fingers from Poole, No-Robell from Plymouth and Okehampton favourites Quorum. The finale is then a headline set from the Monkey Gland Blues Band, who have stepped in to replace Green Day tribute Dookie and Blink 182 tribute, Blinked 182, who were both forced to pull out due to illness.

The music then moves inside with an after party for those over 18, where JD Maskell will provide the entertainment.

Organisers have expressed thanks to Okehampton United Charities, Bostocks Garden Centre, Travis Perkins, The Kings Arms, Chagstock, Epidermis Tattoo Convention and Donalds Menswear.