THE organiser of a new "fringe festival" on Teesside hopes it could grow big like the Edinburgh Fringe.

Jeremy Fowler said the emphasis for the festival between June 5 and 10 was on free entertainment.

Eight venues have signed up to the festival which will feature music, art, comedy, poetry and novelty acts.

It will raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance charity.

Shows take place in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton before a finale at the Symphonia Theatre, in Billingham, on June 10.

Mr Fowler, who runs Viking Events with his wife, Amanda, said: “I have organised events and shows for many years through Viking Events and recognised the great talent that we have in the area.

“I wanted it to be a large event like Edinburgh Fringe, with as much free entertainment as possible.

“I need lots of people to come on board to make it happen. We are already making good progress, despite having no funding.

“Lots of people are getting excited about this and I feel it’s needed in Teesside. Hopefully it will go on to become an annual event and get bigger and better.”

For information visit http://vikingevents.vpweb.co.uk/Teesside-Fringe-Festival.html.