A petition calling for a popular Wolverhampton music festival to remain free of charge has now been signed by almost 2,000 campaigners.

Organisers are due to hand it in to the council next week.

The petition is in response to Wolverhampton City Council’s decision to charge fans to attend this summer’s Wolvestock for the first time in its 15 year history.

The event takes place at East Park and attracts around 20,000 revellers.

Petition organiser Darren Friel, of East Park Way, said: “I am still compiling it all but I know the local fruit and veg shop has collected 900 signatures alone.

“There are also lots of copies with all sorts of community groups who use the estate. I’d say we have got nearly 2,000 names.”

“I am hoping to get it all together and hand it in to the council by next Tuesday,” he added.

Copies of the petition have been handed out all over East Park accompanied by posters which demand the return of a free festival.

The petition was launched at the beginning of March and collected more than 1,250 names in less than a week.

Wolvestock 15 takes place on July 25-26 and costs £12 for day tickets and £20 for weekend passes.

Other costs include £15 for weekend camping.

The city council says it costs taxpayers around £21,000 a year to stage Wolvestock and the move is part of efforts by the Tory-Liberal Democrat alliance, now running the council, to save £40 million and limit council tax rises.