ONE of Worcestershire's most popular summer events is returning for 2021 after a covid-hit year.

Mappfest, which raises thousands for charity every year, was cancelled in 2020, but returns this year.

Returning to Malvern Common on Saturday, August 7, Mappfest aims to be a family friendly music festival with local musicians and acts from further afield.

This year, legendary musician Robert Plant has signed a handmade Marquetry picture made by local craftsman Tony Taylor, and this year the festival will be supporting Headway, St Richard's Hospice and Water Rescue.

Andy Mapp, founder of Mappfest, said: "Mappfest is completely run by volunteers, everyone donates their time for free and we receive no funding, so we have to rely on the kindness of others to make this work.

"As well as two stages of music, the festival will again hopefully feature a fly over from the RAF.

"In past years we have had the Red Arrows, Spitfires, a Dakota and even the Lancaster Bomber took a turn.

"The festival has won the Pride of Malvern Hills Community People's Choice Award, as well as being shortlisted for the countries best festival awards and we even had the honour of meeting The Princess Royal in 2018 as recognition for the work we do to help charities in the area."

Mappfest started as a garden party hosted by Andy Mapp in 2009 with a Raffle for charity with a couple of live performers, and has grown into an annual event held on Malvern Common.

This year it will be back at the Common, on Saturday 7th August from Noon to 10pm.

Much of the money raised comes from the annual raffle and tombola, with a licensed bar, food, craft stalls and children's fairground rides.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/Mappfest/