A FESTIVAL to bring together the community of New Ferry after the devastating explosion will take place next month.

The annual Festival in the Park will take place on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 and will follow on from the success of the 'Into the Light' night of remembrance which took place to mark the second anniversary of the blast.

Organised by the New Ferry Residents Association, Port Sunlight Village Trust and the New Ferry Community Land Trust, the free family event, sponsored by Asda, will boast a fun fair, facepainting, donkey rides.

Entertainment will be provided by dancers from Complete Works, who had their dance studio destroyed during the explosion, Grove Street School Choir, Wirral Sign Choir.

There will also be a performance from local band Ragamuffin.

During the weekend, youngsters will be able to sit and pose in a Jet Provost aircraft while WWII living history displays including British Airborne and Women's Land Army will take place.

Vintage buses will be paying a visit courtesy of Wirral Transport Museum with one providing guided bus tours in Port Sunlight village during the weekend.

Local dog owners will even be able to enter their own four-legged friend in a dog show.

Mark Craig, Chair of New Ferry Residents Association said: "This is the third year New Ferry has held its Festival in the Park.

"It is important that we give this community something of its own; something to enjoy; and something to share with the wider community who have supported us through some difficult times in recent years."

The event is being held alongside the Port Sunlight Road Race 2019 which takes place on Sunday, June 16.

Delivered by BTR Liverpool, in conjunction with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT), Unilever will support the race day for a sixth consecutive year.

It is hoped the event will raise cash to benefit the town and will go towards the Christmas lights, for more information visit www.newferryonline.org.uk