Buskers are being encouraged to get involved in a popular community arts festival.

Organised by the Diss-based social enterprise company Unit Twenty Three, DissFest is aimed at young people in South Norfolk.

Taking place in July, this year's festival aims to be bigger and better and has taken 18 months of preparation.

Over the past year or so, Unit Twenty Three has been working alongside schools, drama groups and youth cafes.

As a result this year's event will involve not just young people in Diss but those from the surrounding area too.

Kayt Button, operations manager at Unit Twenty Three, said: 'This year is much more community-based. I think Diss gets used as a service hub by a lot of the surrounding villages.

'As a result, it's not quite ready for an arts-based festival on its own but part of this year's festival is to take the performing arts out into the community.'

Founded in 2010, Unit Twenty Three was formed with the aim of furthering opportunities for young people interested in the creative arts.

It aims to provide cost effective and sustainable routes in the creative and performing arts for young people who may not other wise have access to such activities.

'There are not always opportunities for young people and it's not always financially viable either,' Mrs Button said. 'If money is tight, something like dance or drama lessons aren't going to be a priority.

'I'm not from an arts background but I have seen first-hand the positive impact taking part in the performing arts can have on self-esteem.

'We have young people who come in quite shy and the change you see in them in amazing.'

Organisers of DissFest are looking for voluntary buskers who are able to perform scaled-down acoustic sets in Mere Street or Mere Park over the weekend of July 22 and 23, between 11am and 4pm.

Anyone who would like to apply should express their interest by emailing info@unittwentythree.co.uk or calling 01379 882200 by Friday, June 16 at 5.30pm.