It may be miles from the sea but Manchester is getting its own bank holiday beach festival - and local PR agency Down at the Social has been tasked with getting the city in the party mood.

The 3000 capacity Beached Festival will see 20 bands and 9 DJs play on a pop-up beach in Castlefield Basin, overlooking the Manchester Ship Canal, on 28 May.

Curated by Manchester promoters Scruff of the Neck, the one-day festival will boast a barbecue, summer cocktails, limbo contests and sandcastle competitions.

As well as drumming up national and regional media interest in the run up to the event, Down at the Social will be running a press office on the day itself.

Down at the Social director Fiona McGarva said: "After years of organising events in and around Manchester we know the one thing we can’t control is the weather, but we also know that Mancunians  know how to have a party, rain or shine!"

McGarva has previously handled PR for other local music events including D:Percussion, New Islington Festival and Burnt to the Ground.