A chance to lead the 25th Tenterden Folk Festival is one of the top attractions on offer as a £20k crowdfunding bid is launched today.

Organisers want to bring in big names from the folk world, along with more dance sides and venues for the anniversary year and are hoping to raise the cash through crowdfunding.

Contributions start from just £30 and in exchange for the donation the supporter’s name will appear in the anniversary folk festival programme.

People making a £250 donation will be rewarded with two full weekend tickets to the festival, worth more than £100, although not including the Thursday evening fundraiser sponsored by Around Kent Folk.

The donor will also get a personal invite to an exclusive supporters’ event. A £500 donation will secure the same level of a benefits, but with the addition of a handpicked Tenterden Folk Festival goodie bag.

Crowdfunding was chosen by festival director Alan Castle as a way of delivering a much bigger festival to mark the 25th anniversary of the event.

Mr Castle said: “We hope that the different prices will enable people to chose a level of contribution and if they can afford £30 then they can still get a reward.

“The idea is to create an extra special 25th festival with more venues, more events and dance sides. We would be extremely grateful for any donations received.

“We want to make the 25th Tenterden Folk Festival the best it can be as a thank-you to the town for hosting us for all these years and the people who support us, some of whom have been coming to the festival since it began.”

There are two opportunities available to give £1,000, which will see the benefactor enjoy the whole range of perks at the £500 level of donation, plus the chance to attend the VIP reception and join mayor Cllr Pam Smith and other dignitaries to watch the procession from the town hall balcony.

At £1,000 also there is just one opportunity to lead the procession, along with a friend, in addition to all the other benefits.

The folk festival takes place from October 5-8, 2017.

To make a bid visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/25th-tenterden-folk-festival