A FARM-BASED music festival - which has raised almost £200,000 for an air ambulance over 30 years - will stage its swan song next month.

The CornShed Festival, held in Hutton Rudby near Stokesley in North Yorkshire, was founded 30 years ago by Judy Kitching, in memory of husband Jim who died after an accident at their farm at the age of 38.

It began because his family wanted to initially raise money for what was then the ITU at Middlesbrough General Hospital, after they tried to save his life.

The first festival used stage blocks from a local primary school and a mobile dance floor loaned by a friend, while family provided the food.

It has gone on to be a hugely successful local festival, with volunteers travelling from all over the British Isles to help put on the annual event and raising many thousands of pounds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

It also led to Mrs Kitching being awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to charity.

Now the festival returns for its final bow at Sexhow Park Farm on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25. Tickets are already on sale.

Mrs Kitching said: “Preparations for this year’s festival are going very well. I have been working on the planning across the year.

“The tickets are now on sale and it is good to see that there has been a big demand already.”

The festival boasts three music stages including the main stage, second stage and an acoustic marquee featuring more gentle music.

Food and merchandise is available on site and this year there will be a photo gallery displaying photos from the previous events.

A spokesperson for the GNAAS said: “We would just like to say a huge thank you to Judy. She has contributed such a huge amount over the years. There will be dozens of people out there right now who may not otherwise be here if not for Judy’s fundraising efforts.

“The money she has raised so far – nearly £200,000 – has been invaluable. She’s one of our biggest single supporters.

“The amount of time and effort and energy that goes into organising these events must not be underestimated. We appreciate everything Judy and her family and everyone else involved in the festival have done for us.”

Mrs Kitching said she felt it was the right time for the festival to come to an end.

“It’s good to finish on a round number,” she said.

“It costs a lot more now to put on and a lot more to time organise, so the 30th year is a good year to end.”

On September 3, a beer festival will be held at the CornShed festival site also raising money for GNAAS.

Tickets can be purchased at; www.thecornshed.co.uk/cornshedshop