A MUSIC fan has organised a special pub-based festival to combat racism and put live music in North Dorset back on the map.

Care assistant Tom Crockford, 21, has organised a whole day of live music at Ye Olde Two Brewers inn, at the bottom of Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, in aid of charity Love Music Hate Racism.

Mr Crockford, who studied performance and music tech at Salisbury College, said the idea for Shaftesbury Love Music Hate Racism started eight months ago in a friends living room during a discussion about the lack of live music in the area.

“I really feel Shaftesbury needs the live music vibe back that has been missing since the close of the music in the park at Gold Hill Fair three years ago,” Mr Crockford said.

“I was tired of people saying they wanted live music and not doing anything about it, so I decided it was now or never.

“It’s been really hard work, but we hope to make it an annual event if it’s a success. We have plans to expand so this is a bit of a trial run.

“I’ve never been to a music festival because it’s so expensive, so I thought it would be a good idea to create something for everyone and make it free.”

Mr Crockford explained that most of the 11 bands scheduled to play are local.

He said the first band to play, at 10.30am on August 27, has started a Facebook page advertising the event which 60 fans have already pledged to support.

He also paid tribute to local companies, which have lent their time, money and resources to supporting the event.