KIDDERMINSTER Arts Festival is looking for resident’s victory stories to be put into one of the pieces of art which will be on display later this year.

The First World War and local victories will be at the heart of projects for the Wyre Forest District Council run festival which will take place from August 9 to 24.

Tracey Shough, one of this year’s artists, will be building a temporary chapel in Kidderminster Town Hall which will include many small shrines that will pay homage to resident’s stories.

Mrs Shough said: “I’m really enjoying being involved with Kidderminster Arts Festival and being reconnected to the West Midlands again.

“It doesn’t matter how small your victory is, if it’s important to you, I’d like to hear from you so I can include it in this installation.”

The arts festival is now in its 11th year and has now been given its biggest ever grant from Arts Council England.

The district council was awarded more than £23,000 toward the festival, and has also secured funding from Worcestershire County Council for a small scale commission project.

It also received money from West Midlands Arts Connect to look at how the festival can develop its work with partners and young people.

Loz Samuels, arts and play development officer at Wyre Forest District Council, said: “We are really grateful to all our supporters and appreciate the generous grants we’ve been promised this year.

“We will only receive the funds if we raise some money ourselves so we would like people to help us make KAF happen again, so we’ve set up a fundraising page.

“Every donation, no matter how small, will be gratefully received and help secure the future of this great event.”

Six new works of art will be shown during the festival due to the Small Scale Commissions Scheme, which is open to artists from Worcestershire to create a temporary piece of artwork.

The chosen artists will be given a grant of £250 on the completion of the work.

Marcus Hart, leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: “We are getting really excited about the fabulous programme which is on offer for this year’s festival – there will be so much to do and see. “ If you have a victory story that you want to send to Mrs Shough, email tracey.wildatart@gmail.com or for more information about the festival visit kidderminsterartsfestival.co.uk.