Residents of the Thame area are being asked to solve a crisis at one of the country's top folk music and dance festivals.

Organisers of the Towersey festival usually manage to provide bed and breakfast for many of their performers by using accommodation at Rycotewood College in Thame.

But because of fire safety work being done during the summer break, the college cannot house anyone.

Festival committee chairman Harry Sullivan said: "At the moment we are short of about 45 places for people performing at the festival.

"We desperately need local people to help us out, either for free or at a reasonable bed and breakfast cost."

The August Bank Holiday three-day festival regularly attracts more than 10,000 people a year.

Anyone who can help should contact the festival office on 01296 394411.