ORGANISERS of the Ramsbottom Music Festival will launch a new category in next year's event to try to promote church organ playing.

They are hoping more people will play the instrument after they discovered there was a national shortage and the Manchester Diocesan, which will sponsor the category, has offered to pay half of the costs for organists taking part in tutorials.

There will also be new categories for keyboard players, as well as songs from the shows and pop performances.

The popular festival will take place from March 7 to 10 at Woodhey High School and Ramsbottom Civic Hall.

This year's event attracted people from across the country and organisers have already received entries for the next one.

For entry forms or details on how to get involved in organising the festival, contact Julie Smale on 01706 825411.