A FESTIVAL encouraging young people to consider manufacturing and engineering as careers, supported by large firms such as Renishaw and Lister Shearing, is coming to Dursley next year.

Festomane is set to arrive in the town on March 28 for a one-day event following the success of the Stroud Festomane in November this year.

The event, to be held at the Chantry Centre, will involve the best features of the longer Festomane week, including schools activities and seminars for residents from the surrounding area to take part in.

Stroud MP Neil Carmichael, who organises Festomane, is in discussions with the Local Enterprise Partnership to help promote engineering and manufacturing across the Valleys and Vale.

The Conservative backbencher said the Cam and Dursley area was a natural choice for Festomane due to its strong industrial and manufacturing heritage.

He added that his campaign to improve links with the M5 for the area was a key aspect of encouraging business investment, which he believes will help replace manufacturing jobs such as those lost at Lister Petter in Dursley.

The firm announced 45 redundancies last month.

“I am looking forward to bringing the successful Festomane initiative to Dursley in March next year, and building on the area’s fantastic industrial heritage, “ said Mr Carmichael.

“I hope that events such as this will encourage business investment and improve the uptake of science, technology, engineering and manufacturing skills in schools around the district.”

More information on Festomane can be found at www.festomane.co.uk or by following @StroudFestival on Twitter.