SALISBURY is expected to benefit from an economic boost worth millions of pounds as visitors flock to this year’s International Arts Festival.

The festival, which hass continued to grown over the years, levers an economic benefit of at least £3 million annually into the region, which festival organisers expect to bring into the area once again this year.

It is also in the top six per cent of arts festivals in the UK with a turnover of £1million per annum. It also raises more than £500,000 annually on top of public subsidy and reinvests that money back into the

festival.

The festival has also received wider recognition and won a gold award for tourism event of the year in 2013/14 in the South West Tourism Awards.

Last year’s event included 26 sell-out shows, six world premieres, two UK premieres and 14 exclusive programmes. It also saw more than 50,000 visitors come along with some travelling from as far afield as the US and Iceland.

More than 10,000 people attended the free opening weekend, which featured a family play-day, street theatre, as well as and a Salisbury live music stage.

Festival organisers hope to replicate at this year’s event, which The 2015 runs from May 22 to June 6, and will see performers from 20 nations entertain audiences.