A WEEK-LONG festival could become an annual event in Portishead if plans to promote tourism go ahead.

A music and arts festival was just one of the ideas put forward at a meeting organised by the town’s tourism group to encourage more visitors to the area and prompt people living in Portishead to make good use its facilities.

Speaking at the meeting last week, Portishead Pilgrim Tina Hodgett, who is part of the Portishead Church of England clergy team, said a festival would be a positive step for the town and she could not think of a nicer way to attract visitors.

A public meeting will be called later this month asking residents to come forward and get involved in the event.

Other tourism ideas discussed included a promotional brochure about the town and the opening of a tourist information point. The youth centre has been suggested as the first stop for visitors, as the newly-refurbished centre caf� is already open five days a week and the management committee are desperately seeking ways to finance the opening of it at weekends.

Ros Cruse, chairman of Portishead Youth Centre management committee, said: “The idea has been put to us that we offer a desk or stand at the centre, from which information about Portishead is displayed and dispensed. We welcome ideas like this and are happy to enter into talks with the tourism group about it.”

Tourism group chairman Ron Hazelton says he is hopeful Portishead will be highlighted as a great place for visitors and holidaymakers.

He said: “We had a number of very interesting ideas suggested at our meeting by people who were willing to be instrumental in bringing them to fruition.

“The meeting was very positive and we are planning a bigger push on tourism in Portishead this year.”

The group is now appealing for more people to get involved and will announce the date of the next meeting in the coming weeks.