Lakes Parish Council funding support is being sought by a new music festival which is set to take place in September.

Zeffirelli’s is holding Ambleside’s first contemporary Jazz Festival over four days from August 31- September 3, featuring a number of top contemporary jazz players.

Derek Hook, proprietor of Zeffirellis’, told councillors at their plans meeting last week how Zeffirellis has supported and performed modern jazz over many years including the legendary top UK jazz pianist, the late John Taylor.

John, a friend of Derek Hook, collapsed in 2015 while playing in a French jazz festival and died soon afterwards. He had strong links with the venue and even composed a work entitled ‘Ambleside Days’ and recorded it 25 years ago.

Among the players at Zeffirellis’ first Jazz Festival this September will be Dave Holland, the English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades.

There will be two separate performances taking place each night of the Festival, one in the main cinema auditorium and the other in the free Jazz Bar, which is currently being extended.

“If we all get behind it, people will think it was well worth doing”, Mr Hook told the council.