Singers, dancers and pubs have rallied round and are giving their time and space free in a bid to save the popular Wallingford BunkFest.

The 2007 festival, due to take place at the end of August and beginning of September, was cancelled because of a lack of funds.

But director Jo Clyde said a fundraising and awareness day would be held on September 1 to drum up support to ensure the festival goes ahead next year.

She said: "The response has been overwhelming and now we have a mini-BunkFest on our hands."

There will be live music and dance displays in The Dolphin, Cross Keys, The George and Coach and Horses pubs, with events in Portcullis Club and the Corn Exchange, and stalls in Market Place, thanks to the town council, and Feathers Yard.

There will also be a singing train on the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway - the route of the Bunk train from which the festival takes its name - as well as boat trips on the Thames.

Ms Clyde added: "There will be no admission charges - except for the trains and boats. But we are encouraging people to buy a BunkFest Supporter badge and we suggest a minimum £5 donation."

The festival started in 2002 and raised thousands of pounds for local charities.

Ms Clyde said: "Our aim from the start was just to give the town a great weekend of colourful music and dancing at venues throughout the town, "We were highly successful and last year more than 15,000 people attended the festival over its three days."

Finances were badly hit when applications for grants were turned down and organisers could not get enough sponsorship.