THE Newt Beer and Music Festival will not return next year, organisers have revealed.

In a statement on their Facebook page on Thursday (October 24) organisers of The Newt Beer and Music Festival said increases in costs and competition from other events has made it difficult for them to generate the funding needed to invest in the festival.

The organisers said they will be taking a one year break to 'rethink' their approach to the event and the festival will return in 2021. 

The festival, which is based in North Newton, has raised thousands of pounds for local charities and showcases the talents of Somerset bands and beer and cider producers each year.

In a statement the organisers said: "The Newt Beer and Music Festival is organised and run by volunteers each year with the aim of raising funds for local organisations and good causes.

"The festival was founded in 1991 and over the years has raised tens of thousands of pounds to support those groups and causes.

"However, in recent years, with increases in costs and competition from other events, it has become more difficult to generate the level of surplus that allows us to make donations and invest in the festival.

"As a consequence of this, the festival organising committee have decided that it is in the best interests of the festival to take a break for one year.

READ MORE: Pictures from Newt Beer and Music Festival 2018

"This will give everyone involved with the event time to regroup and rethink our approach to staging the festival that we all enjoy so much.

"Our plan is to stage a number of smaller events over the next 18 months and to return with the New Newt Beer and Music Festival in July 2021.

"We thank everyone who has supported us over the years for their continued commitment to the festival. We will post news of forthcoming events on our Facebook page and website in due course."