YOUNG people in Bewdley will be improving their employability skills by volunteering at the Hopfest family music festival.

Bewdley Youth Festival and The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre have teamed up with the two-day musical event to provide young people with practical opportunities in sound engineering, photography and stewarding.

A number of art students have created the backdrop for one of the festival’s stages, while sound enthusiasts have been given the chance to work alongside professional engineers to manage the music across the festival.

Photographer Colin Hill will lead a group of students tasked with capturing images of the event and numerous other young people will steward crowds and assist visitors.

All of the volunteers will receive a free pass to the festival in return for their efforts.

Talented young musicians from The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre will also perform in the new talent tent at the festival or as part of an African drum group.