WINSFORD’S unique Off Cut festival returns for its fourth year this weekend, with organisers hailing the event’s growth.

Held on the Common and named after the cut of the River Weaver that brought trade to the town, the two-day celebration also extends to De bees and the Red Lion.

With all acts hailing from the north west, the festival has managed to grow year on year while also retaining a community atmosphere.

Complementing Liverpool-based headliners Space and The Coral’s Lee Southall, a “core” of Winsford acts such as The Luka State and Sam Lyon will also take to the stage.

Martin Moseley, one of the event’s organisers, said: “All of the acts are north west-based. It’s not a huge festival but it’s something we are trying to build on, and there is that much talent in the north west that it’s easy to keep it that way.

“It’s not a corporate festival and that’s what we are trying to keep – we want all the residents and businesses involved, and all the stalls are local as well.

“We have stuck with unsigned acts and given them a platform for their talents. We have kept that community-based feel.

“You are not going to get another chance to see these all these acts for free.”

With the foundations in place, the aim is to see the festival grow into a major multi-venue event on the doorstep of 30,000 Winsford residents.

Damon Horrill, the man behind Red Lion owners Cornerstone Inns, said: “Off Cut has all the makings of a great festival, still taking baby steps but with each year the vision for its potential becomes clearer to more of us.

“In the Weaver Parkway, Winsford has the perfect festival site. Towns like Nantwich host events across their lively town centres, because they have town centres.

“Winsford doesn't but more than makes up for it with this incredible open space in the heart of the town.”

The free music will be accompanied by stalls selling food, crafts, and real ale and cider.