FOR more than 60 years Edinburgh has ruled the roost when it comes to the biggest and best festivals.

But the Purley Festival, a roaring success during its launch year last summer, is returning for 2012 – bigger, better and hoping to give the Scottish arts festival a run for its money.

Festival director Fiona Lipscombe told the Advertiser: "The response to last year's event was positive, so we thought right, let's do another one and see if we can make it an annual event.

"As a result we had a lot of really experienced people who wanted to help out, who I think can help us make it even better than last year.

"If people come together I think we could create a mini Edinburgh Festival, which I think would be fantastic. The Edinburgh Festival has been going for more than 60 years, so why can't Purley's?"

With a comedy tent, a live stage, a beer tent, silent disco and 100 stalls all lined up for the festival's weekend finale, it is easy to see why Ms Lipscombe, 49, is setting her sights high.

Around 2,000 people visited the festival last year and it is hoped 2012 will attract at least 6,000 visitors to the town, with shops, bars and restaurants all expecting to benefit.

Cultural events including library get-togethers, live bands in local pubs and film showings will run throughout the week from June 25 to 29 while the weekend finale, on Rotary Field, will crown the event on June 30 and July 1.

With a target of £15,000 in funding needed to keep the festival free, Miss Lipscombe is calling on the community to come together to arrange more fundraisers.

She said: "It's so far been a real community effort to raise the funds. We've had the older ones raising money at Purley Dinner Club, and we had one of the girls who is five swimming at the swimathon.

"Everything will be free, that is the aim, so we make it accessible for the whole community and affordable to everyone. But we still need to raise more, having reached around £5,500.

"We hope people feel something special is happening. I'm really excited about it."

Festival organisers also want to hear from people who would like to run stalls.

Purley and Woodcote Residents' Association chairman Tarsem Flora said: "Last year was a great success and we hope it will give people a chance to meet more of the neighbours."