PEOPLE will be flooding into Winchester when the first Hampshire Water Festival gets under way later this year.

The event on August 16 will see a host of activities and events with a watery theme and comes on the back of the Hampshire Water Strategy, a blueprint for the county's valuable freshwater environment.

It has been organised by Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Hampshire Fare, Common Ground and the Environment Agency.

Attractions include a water market in Winchester Cathedral's outer close, featuring locally produced food and drink reliant on a plentiful supply of water such as fish, beer, wine, ice cream and watercress.

Visitors will also be able to buy 'green' soaps and detergents, water filters, drought-resistant garden plants, native pond vegetation, water butts, books and much more.

Broadcaster Chris Packham will launch a day of talks and presentations at Winchester Guildhall with a river wildlife slideshow and question and answer session.

The venue will also host a new exhibition by Winchester Photo-graphy Society, screenings from Wessex Film and Sound Archive, and a variety of other activities. The Tower Arts Centre will be holding a series of free water-related music, theatre, storytelling and arts events in Abbey Gardens.

The River Itchen will be the venue for tours of Winnall Moors Nature Reserve, an evening bat walk and guided water history and engineering walks.

The National Trust's Winchester City Mill is holding a free open day, with otter talks and activities for children, as is Winchester Canoe Club.

Hampshire County Council's executive member for environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, said: "Many of us take the availability of water for granted, and the Hampshire Water Festival aims to encourage people to think about the county's freshwater environment and the impact it has on them every day of their lives. For instance, how many people know where the water that comes out of their taps actually comes from?

"The festival will strike a balance between education and entertainment, with activities to really get people thinking about water issues in Hampshire. Our hope is that visitors will be influenced by what they've learned, and start to make changes to the way they live - however small - that will have a positive impact on water in the county."