ORGANISERS of the annual Mistletoe Festival in Tenbury are waiting to see if a bid for a major grant from the Arts Council has been successful.

If it gets approved, then it will enable more new features at the event that aims to give the town a national presence.

The work of giving the festival a higher profile began last year when there was also funding from the Arts Council.

Caroline Palethorpe, who is behind the organisation of the festival, says that she expects to know in September if a bid for £11,000 has been successful.

The Mistletoe Festival takes place in November and December and coincides with the annual sales that bring people from all over the country and overseas into the town.

Plans for 2015 are still being prepared and are partially dependent upon achieving the extra funding.

But the traditional features, such as the crowning of the Mistletoe Queen and Holly Prince, will continue to be an important part of the Festival.

An enhanced programme of arts events including plays and street theatre is also anticipated.

Tenbury and the Teme Valley is one of the most important parts of the country for the supply of mistletoe for the Christmas market.

Mistletoe is a parasite that grows on trees and has long been linked with love and fertility.