THE charity chosen to benefit from the six-week extravaganza, "Crediton Festival 2013", will be the Crediton Food Bank.

The festival, which includes a packed programme of events and activities, will run from June 1 to July 13.

More than 30 organisations and groups are involved in organising the event.

It is headed by a production team led by Rod Brookes-Hocking, who has been the producer of previous Shakespeare in the Square productions and was instrumental in the project to create Crediton's town square, Kate Lock (also producer of previous Shakespeare in the Square productions), Rosemary Stephenson (administrator, Crediton Arts Centre), David Jacques (of Wortham Jaques accountants) and Sandra O'Connor (Chamber of Commerce and owner of Olivia James Design on Crediton High Street).

Crediton Arts Centre is facilitating the project and Rosemary Stephenson, said: "Crediton Festival 2013 will be a celebration of our talented and vibrant community."

She added: "There is just so much going on in this town and we want to give every group a chance to showcase what they do."

Rod Brookes-Hocking explained: "Crediton Festival 2013 is not just a celebration of the town's strengths but will also reflect a compassionate side.

"The steering group has adopted the Crediton Food Bank as the recipients of any profits from festival events, but it will also see admission at one or two events by way of a donation of food for the Food Bank and there will be a table at some events where items can be donated.

"The Festival will be taking place during what is predicted will be challenging times for many as benefits for some people are being cut during the year and it could see more people need the services of the food bank.