ORGANISERS of a spectacular festival are hopeful they can beat the cold weather.

Standedge is getting ready to spark into life as it hosts the annual Imbolc Fire Festival tomorrow evening.

The renowned community festival is a spectacular Celtic celebration heralding the beginning of spring.

But this year’s event is likely to go ahead against a backdrop of several inches of snow – dumped on Marsden in the worst winter for two decades.

Paths and roads around the Standedge Visitor Centre are being cleared and organisers are optimistic.

A spokesman said: “We are watching the weather carefully and at the moment, the show goes on.

“We are clearing areas of snow and we will leave a decision until the last minute.”

Now in its 16th year, the evening event is one of the biggest dates in Marsden’s calendar, attracting more than 2,000 people each year.

It features an amazing torchlit procession, theatrical performances, a dazzling pyrotechnic display and fire sculptures.

This year’s festival is set to be the biggest and best yet with live music from a local singing group, a fire circus and a battle not to be missed between Jack Frost and the Green Man – two key figures from festival folklore.

Festival organiser Angie Boycott-Garnett said: “The festival is a spectacular and hugely enjoyable event for all the family.

“We’d love it if people got into the spirit of the event and dressed up in clothes they think best represent winter or spring.

“It was great to see so many people visit us last year and we’re hoping for even more this year – we could all do with getting warmed up through the cold winter months!”

James Dean, visitor services manager at Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre said: “This will be my first Imbolc and I’ve heard it’s not to be missed.”

Members of the public should meet at Marsden railway station car park around 7pm to join the torchlit procession to Standedge.

For more information on the festival please contact Marsden Information Point on 01484 845595 or for up to date details on the Festival check out the Examiner website on www.examiner.co.uk