AFTER the devastating cancellation of Battle of the Bands this year, its organisers are hopeful the Party in the Park event will return in 2018 with the help of public support.

Battle of the Bands, which is spread over three heats with the final held at Okehampton’s Party in the Park, was unfortunately cancelled this year due to a lack of volunteers and sponsorship.

However, organisers are launching a fundraising campaign on August 5 in a bid to rally support and gather donations to get the event up and running again next year.

Event organiser Jay Hadland said: ‘After this year’s cancellation due to losing some of our sponsors and other issues, we thought we’d start afresh and with the community’s support and come back in 2018 with an even bigger show.

‘This year we are hoping to have a “Best of The Best” theme where lots of winners and favourites from the previous competitions are invited back alongside one or possibly two headliners.

‘We are also looking for volunteers to join the Battle of The Bands team and to help out on the day.

‘We are in the process of fundraising for Okehampton Party In The Park 2018 and we have a Crowdfunder campaign starting on August 5. There are lots of rewards for donations including T shirts and other merchandise, plus opportunities to meet the bands backstage.’

Those who donate £20 and over would also have their name included on the Battle Of The Bands website as a supporter of the 2018 festival.

The Crowdfunder page will go live on August 5 and links will be posted on the ‘Okehampton Battle of the Bands’ Facebook page.