COMBE St Nicholas gave cancer a kicking at the weekend when the annual music festival returned to the village.

The Combe Kicking Cancer music festival took place at Combe St Nicholas FC on August 19, with money raised going to Cancer Research UK.

Many local bands and singers performed at the event including The IOUS, Salt of the Earth, the Skufflers, Half Hidden and The Vinyl Monkeys.

Mel Cullingford, Combe St Nicholas Ladies’ team manager and the festival’s main organiser, said: “Cancer unfortunately affects everyone, including my brother in law, father in law, aunt and a few friends, so it’s very close to home and a great cause to raise money for.

“My aunt, Sue Curtis, has beaten breast cancer, my friend Jackie Deeming has beaten bowel cancer, my brother in law is still with us and he has beaten it.

“My father in law is no longer with us after he died of lung cancer.

“Since I have been playing football at either Ilminster FC or Combe FC I’ve tried with the support of the clubs to raise money for charities.

“The club chairman Luc and myself, and of course the new dedicated committee, plan on building a family orientated club and building successful teams and encouraging the use of the club for other functions.”

Luc Logan, chairman of Combe St Nicholas FC, added: “I have friends that have been affected by cancer, it’s such a widespread disease and I think that those interested in our event will probably have been affected too."