THE organisers of an intimate electronic music festival are looking to expand it into a “bigger and better” annual North-East crowd-puller.

Remedy Mini Dance Festival has been hailed a success after attracting 500 revellers to the one-day event near Newton Aycliffe featuring a long line-up of House DJs.

Headlining the “boutique festival” at The Hammer and Pincers, on Preston Lane, was Hacienda legend Allister Whitehead who has offered his support to the venture.

Organisers Andy Lee and Lisa Morrison have been invited by the British DJ to meet the people behind the Reminisce Festival - a yearly fixture at St Helen’s, between Manchester and Liverpool, attended by 12,000 with a line-up of 140 acts and DJs across six stages.

Mr Lee said: “I’m so thankful that someone as experienced as Allister Whitehead has been so supportive.

"He’s been playing some of the best clubs and festivals in the world for well over 30 years now so when he takes such an interest it really does make the hard work worthwhile.

"We're looking forward to getting some valuable insights and inspiration from [the organisers of Reminisce] that we can use to build and expand our future events.

"It’s only our first outdoor event and this kind of support and advice is incredible.”

The first Remedy event was held in 2016 after Nicola Maull, of School Aycliffe, became ill with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMO) - a rare neurological condition which has caused damage to her spinal cord and nerves.

In the wake of her diagnosis, old school friend Ms Morrison and pal Mr Lee organising a DJ night to aid the resulting financial burden.

The pair decided to bring the event back last month, expanding it into a day-long festival with camping, and turning their attention to raising funds for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, in Middlesbrough.

Music lovers spent the day enjoying classic House music in giant tipis plus underground music in a Bedouin tent with DJs including Josh Butler and Hauswerks.

“We couldn’t be happier with how the event went, support from everyone from the DJs, the venue, the sponsors to everyone that shared the event on social media or bought tickets was simply amazing,” added Mr Lee.

More than £3,000 was raised for the Middlesbrough charity which provides respite and palliative care for babies and infants from birth to the age of five who have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

The organising duo hope future events will raise further funds for good causes.

Mr Lee added: “We hope to keep it going as a regular yearly event.

"The foundations are established of a really amazing event so hopefully we can build on it, and make it bigger and better each year, doing our bit for charities as we go."

Plans for Remedy 2019 at the same venue are in the pipeline, with dates and DJs to be revealed early next year.