A FESTIVAL which raised more than £15,000 last year in support of a Bangor University lecturer struck by a brain injury will return this weekend.

On Saturday, Treborth Botanic Gardens will once again be filled with fantastic music at the Draig Beats festival.

The event was set up last year by the friends and family of Dr Sophie Williams, who contracted Japanese encephalitis while on fieldwork in China in 2015.

Last year, Draig Beats raised more than £15,000 for the Sophie Williams Trust which was set up to help pay for the adaptations needed for Dr Williams to return to her home near Tregarth after four years in residential care.

Close friend Julia Jones, who is a professor of conservation at Bangor University said “Sophie has always had a talent for bringing people together.

"As a student at Bangor University she was involved in raising money and campaigning when Treborth was threatened with closure.

"When she fulfilled her dream and became a lecturer at the university she was deeply involved in the garden every day, so it is so fitting that Sophie’s creative and talented friends are running their festival, Draig Beats, at Treborth."

Sophie's partner Dr Robert Annewandter added: "The success of last year's Draig Beats left us overwhelmed.

"The atmosphere was brilliant and the money raised is so important as it will help Sophie finally to move home. Sophie greatly appreciates the incredible support from her community.”

This time, Dragon Beats will be raising money both for the Sophie Williams Trust and Treborth Botanic Gardens itself.

As well as music taking place across three seperate stages at this year's festival, revellers can also enjoy vegetarian food, explore Treborth's ancient woodlands and meadows and join in with the drumming and dancing.