OVER 300 people enjoyed a local music festival in aid of Wiltshire Mind.

Gary Broome, 51, from Melksham hosted a two day festival, Going Feral for mental health, at The Bruce Arms in Pewsey after he lost friends to the illness.

He said: “I lost three friends in 10 years because of mental health. As Wiltshire is my home and I suffer with mental health issues myself, it is something close to my heart.

“It was fantastic we sold lots of tickets, and we were overwhelmed that we got so much support.

“We put the raffle towards a diabetes charity because a band member has a relative who was unwell from it."

Various bands took part including The Sporadics, Anarchists Wood and Dissident Noise Factory. He raised £1,600 for the charity and £400 for diabetes at the September weekend of music.

“It was a beautiful weekend so everyone should be proud. It gives me something to focus on so I’d like to carry on with it and keep it going.”