PEOPLE wanting to take part in the Highbridge Festival of the Arts are being advised to e-mail their entries to the organisers.

The closing date for the speech and drama and music entries to 'The Friendly Festival' is Saturday, December 31. Entries for drama are now closed.

Syllabuses for speech and drama, dance and music are now available to download from the website at www.highbridgefestival.org.uk/.

A spokesperson for the festival said: "Please contact the section secretaries by email to express your interest as we are aware that postal entries may be delayed.

"We sincerely hope that you fill find lots of classes to interest you.

"Speech and drama and music have downloadable PDF entry forms, which should be printed, completed and then returned to the section secretaries with your payment.

"Closing dates for each section vary, so please make sure you take account of these."

The spokesperson added: "We are aware that if you posted your entry form and/or cheque, it may be delayed.

"We will confirm receipt of entries, so please do not contact us until at least December 31 to find out if we have received them. We are very busy processing entries and will be unable to respond."