Solfest is gearing up to welcome festival-goers for a weekend of fun and music.

The event will take place this weekend with the first campers expected to arrive on site on Thursday, ready for the three-day party to start on Friday.

Building of the festival's seven venues is well under way with colourful site art already dotting the field at Tarns, near Aspatria.

Seven volunteers from Young Cumbria, aged between 12 and 16, have joined the crew to give their contribution by making graffiti.

Ian Alcock, project worker, said: "It's about getting the young people volunteering and applying different employability skills. Rather than doing the stereotypical CV writing we went out in the community and got artwork commissioned.

"Volunteering at Solfest is a great opportunity to show what these young people have learnt and seeing a festival site being built is something they wouldn't normally get a chance to see.

"They will really enjoy having their work on display at Solfest and it's been great for them spending time making this artwork as a group."

The project started by decorating Soundwave's new base in Workington earlier this month and Ian said he's hoping to attract new members to join the project too.

Solfest's line-up is packed with acts spanning a variety of genres.

Newton Faulkner, Dub Pistols, Serial Killaz, Stainton Warrios, Jinx in Dub, Barry Hyde, are just a few of the names that will be taking the stage at the event.

The family-friendly festival also features a kids' area, a kite display and walk-about artists.

Jim Kay, chairman of the organising committee, said: "The build is going really well. It's great to see so many people helping us making this event possible. We're giving the site a bit of a makeover this year in terms of site art and the volunteers from Young Cumbria have been a great addition to the team.

"Sometimes people forget that independent festivals such as Solfest rely on the help of volunteers, community spirit is at the heart of what we do. We're really looking forward to welcoming people to the field on Friday and I'm sure once again everyone will have a great time."

Tickets for Solfest are still available, for more information visit www.solfest.org.uk

Anyone interested in joining Young Cumbria's projects can email foundation@youngcumbria.co.uk.