Pembroke's first ever festival celebrating the town's rich heritage, culture and arts will boost the local economy, suggest its organisers.

The festival sub-committee of Pembroke 21C which has been responsible for co-ordinating the inaugural Pembroke festival is confident it will extend the town's tourist season.

Events planned include a riverboat challenge and a lantern procession, based on and around the Mill and Castle Ponds. They range from a medieval banquet and storytelling to a Welsh cake competition and stage performances. One play, 'Malvolio in Stockings', will be performed by local actor, Dave Ainsworth, who also wrote the script.

Clr. Bill Philpin, chairman of PLANED, which has provided staff and financial support via its EU funded LEADER+ programme, pointed to evidence that festivals brought real benefits to communities.

"They boost the local economy and are a rewarding experience for residents and visitors alike," he said. "They can add colour and life into the locality and enable the local people themselves to get together to have a good time."

The 10-day festival, which begins on September 5, is being sponsored by many organisations, including Texaco and the Milford Haven Port Authority.

Phil Walters, general manager of the Texaco Refinery at Rhoscrowther, views the event as appealing to both local people and tourists.

Ted Sangster, chief executive of the Milford Haven Port Authority, is delighted that Pembroke's waterside location would be celebrated as part of the Festival.

"We are working with the organisers to make the event a significant, enjoyable and hopefully recurring event in the town's calendar," he said.

•Pembroke Festival is supported by funding from PLANED's EU LEADER+ project, from the Welsh Development Agency, the Welsh Assembly Government, the Rural Recovery Plan, Pembroke Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, PAVS' Sustainable Pembrokeshire Small Grants Scheme, the Social Risk Fund, and with sponsorship from Texaco Ltd. (a Chevron Texaco Company) and Milford Haven Port Authority. There have also been many donations form individuals and businesses.