THE bunting is coming out and the bands are warming up for a day to remember.

Thousands of visitors are set to descend on a field in Warsash on Saturday for a dazzling summer festival.

More than 60 organisations and groups are planning to set up stalls at the  event, which last time attracted a crowd of more than 5,500.

The day will feature a bumper selection of side shows, displays, entertainers and live music.

The Strawberry Fields, off Newton Road, will be transformed in to a spectacular showground with stalls, car displays, dog shows and children’s entertainment.

This year a scarecrow competition will take place throughout the village, with a number of businesses in the area agreeing to display the imaginative designs.

And, with the huge influx of revellers, organisers are hoping for a repeat of the last bonanza when some £10,000 was raised and pumped back in to the community via charities and local good causes.

A classic steam traction engine will be on site and there will also be dancing and live bands performing throughout the day.

Festival chairman Matthew Chase said he was hoping for another bumper turnout on Saturday between 12.30pm and 4.30pm.

He said: “With the economic climate still being tough for many people, I think an event like the Warsash Festival is the ideal opportunity for local communities to get together and spend a day not worrying about the stresses of everyday life.

“We are certainly expecting a good turnout this year and we have had a tremendous response. The one thing we can’t plan is the weather, but fingers crossed it will be a nice weekend.”