THOUSANDS of pounds raised by a festival which aims to blow away the winter blues will be distributed to worthy causes.

Brightlingsea WinterFest, a celebration of the arts founded by Alix Sheppard and David Griffiths as a means of fostering positive mental wellbeing, attracted more than 3,500 visitors and involved more than 200 artists and performers last year.

The £4,000 raised through the festival will now be distributed to causes across the area.

Eight grants of £250 are up for grabs for organisations in Brightlingsea, while Co-op vouchers will be offered to families who are struggling to cope during the current pandemic.

The festival's fund has purchased enough vouchers, worth £50 each, for 40 families in need.

A further donation of £100 worth of vouchers by the East of England Co-op means a further two families will receive help.

Finally, the WinterFest Wellbeing Fund has made a donation of £1,200 to mental health charity Mid and North East Essex MIND.

The festival was set up by Alix after her partner Joe Keighley took his own life.

The well-known musician, who performer with band the Vipers, had suffered a long battle with depression.

After his death, the festival was launched in 2015 to help everyone cope with the dark winter months.

In a joint message with co-founder Dave, Alix said: "We are very pleased to be able to offer these grants and vouchers to organisations and families in Brightlingsea who have been hit by a wide range of difficulties caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The help we can offer has been made possible because of the amazing support we had from local people and businesses for this year's WinterFest which, very fortunately, was held before lockdown was introduced.

“It was the best ever WinterFest, with the focus on wellbeing and will remain in people's minds as a happy memory in a very challenging year.

“We want to give grants to local organisations who make a positive contribution to the town and also give a helping hand to Brightlingsea families who have been finding it hard to make ends meet.”

Grant applications can be made by completing an online form on the festival's website at brightlingseawinterfest.co.uk.