A FUN-packed programme of children's events is ready for take-off in Middlewich this summer thanks to Manchester Airport.

For the airport has agreed to a sponsorship deal worth £1,500 with the town's Folk and Boat Festival Committee enabling a series of workshops for youngsters to take place over the festival week from June 11 to June 15.

Schools across Middlewich will be invited to take part in the educational and fun-based workshops which will be held in a purpose-built circus tent in the week running up to the festival. They will include puppet-making, story-telling and circus skills.

Festival committee press officer Mhari Kelly said: "We are celebrating our success at being able to secure this grant from Manchester Airport.

"It will enable us to build on the children's side of the festival this year and focus more funds on developing entertainment activities for young people.

"The airport recognised it was a worthwhile project and was very keen to get involved in a festival which now attracts many people from overseas."

It has taken two years hard work by the committee to organise the sponsorship from the airport which is the largest sponsor in the North West.

Sue Jones, arts sponsorship manager for Manchester Airport, said: "Middlewich's Folk and Boat Festival is an ideal project for us to support as it has a wide community benefit and will introduce children of all ages to performing arts. It will also enable them to participate in a wide range of fun and exciting activities.

"Each year we receive hundreds of requests for sponsorship and we are constantly trying to include new initiatives in our programme. I am pleased that we have been able to bring some of these creative projects to life."

And following last week's festival committee meeting Prontaprint has announced sponsorship to the tune of £2,000 which will be used for Saturday night's main stage concert.

Free entry to the festival's open poetry has now been extended to all OAPs.

Salt Town Poets' spokesman Dave Roberts said: "From the very beginning of the competition a small charge has been made for entries, purely to cover administrative costs.

"Entries from children, however, have always been free of charge and we think it is only fair to extend this to elderly people.

"Obviously, we won't be asking to see pension books or any other proof of age as we are sure that everyone will play fair!"

Entry forms are now available at various outlets in Middlewich including the council offices and the library. Entries can also be sent by e-mail to patheaton@ic24.net