An artist has welcomed public support for her idea of Epsom hosting an annual arts festival and is inviting interested parties to a brainstorming session.

After creative and performing arts institutions backed the concept in this newspaper, art event organisers have said they would like to get involved.

Artist Sarah Dewing, who believes the festival would put Epsom on the map, and Facebook group What’s On In Epsom have organised the brainstorming session at Bourne Hall in Ewell on Tuesday.

Ms Dewing said: “While this energy is around, something really needs to be done. “I would be happy to arrange the first meeting.

“I am happy to do it as long as I get a lot of people who are willing to put in the time to see it through.

“It is fantastic that everyone thinks it is a good idea, but there does have to be money behind it.”

As well as coming up with creative ideas, she said they will need people to go out and get funding in order to make the festival happen.

Paul Taylor, from community Facebook page What’s On In Epsom, said they aim to bring together art groups, musicians, dancers and anyone else who would like to help.

Mr Taylor said: "It’s to gather more ideas, see if it’s feasible and see if we can get enough people to help. Then we’ll take it from there."

The meeting is being held at Bourne Hall in Spring Street, Ewell, on Tuesday, May 19. Please arrive at 6.45pm for a 7pm start.

University for the Creative Arts, Laine Theatre Arts, Nescot college and Realistic Rock have voiced their support in getting the festival off the ground.

Ingrid Norman, from the Epsom and Ewell Partnership of Schools, said children from state schools would be taking part in their first art festival exhibition in September.

Ms Norman said: “While this event has been planned for some time, we are delighted that there has been a recent call by the public for the borough to hold an arts festival on a much larger scale.”

She said a two-day dance and music festival wetre already held at the Epsom Playhouse, but the arts festival will feature an exhibition of paintings at Bourne Hall in Ewell.

Natalie Joh-nson-Hyde, manager of St Martin of Tours Music Festival in June, said: “I was very interested to read all about the calls for an arts festival in the Epsom Guardian.

“I agree that a town-wide, multi-genre arts festival would be a fabulous idea.

“However, I wanted to let you know that I started a music festival through St Martin’s Church last summer, and we are on again this year, to bring top quality classical and crossover music to the heart of Epsom.”

Writer and illustrator Rebecca Gerlings, who also read the story on the arts festival in this newspaper, suggested that art institutions could get involved in national art events as a “toe in the water”.

She said: “I feel the arts are very underrepresented in the Epsom and Ewell area, so I am looking forward to any updates on this story with interest. It is a great idea.”

Kane Andrews, who has just started a theatre academy for children in Epsom, said: “I think it’s a great idea.

“It is a great time for it. I think an arts festival has got potential.”

Anyone who cannot attend the brainstorming session but would still like to help should email epsom@whatsoninmytown.com and s.dewing@ntlworld.com