FATBOY Slim has been confirmed as the patron of LagoonFest.

The annual family festival at Hove Lagoon is still due to take place on Saturday September 5 from 11am to 4pm.

The organisers of LagoonFest, Friends of Hove Lagoon, are continuing to work towards the festival and are calling for volunteers to help.

However, contingency plans are also in place should the date need to be moved due to coronavirus, with Brighton and Hove City Council in agreement.

Fatboy, whose real name is Norman Cook, said: “LagoonFest may well be one of the first opportunities we have to get together as a community after the lockdown.

“It will be a great time to support local businesses after they’ve had such a rough few months.

“I’ll be there and I am already looking forward to it.”

Joanne Mitchell, joint LagoonFest organiser, added: ”We are delighted to announce Norman Cook as patron for LagoonFest.

Norman has been a part of the festival since it launched in 2018 and we are thrilled that he is supporting us further by becoming a patron.

“We think it’s important to continue with our planning for LagoonFest 2020 and are calling for more volunteers to get involved and help us put on this community festival after the lockdown, whenever that will be.

“Our main concern is what the coronavirus outbreak has done to all our contributors financially.

“So, our aim for this year is to provide a really fun day for locals and others in the city, after a miserable few months.”

LagoonFest was launched in 2018 by Friends of Hove Lagoon to raise funds to improve the landscape of the lagoon, with all profits going towards this.

Fatboy will open the festival again this year and, in keeping with the previous two years will spend the day talking with locals and visitors.

Friends of Hove Lagoon will announce the individuals and businesses taking part in the festival, along with the sponsors, over the next few months.

If you would like to volunteer at LagoonFest 2020, then you should contact friendsofhovelagoon@gmail.com

LagoonFest 2020 takes place on Saturday September 5 between 11am and 4pm at Hove Lagoon, Kingsway.

Entry to the event is free and there will be plenty of activities to entertain all of the family both young and old so make sure you don’t miss out.