AN arts festival for and by young people in Taunton Deane could lead to a massive performance in London or Birmingham.

ArtsTaunton is sourcing funding to create a youth arts festival to enable anyone under 25 to showcase their talents.

The event would probably take place over ten days at various venues starting in October 2019 and would be held over the next four years, culminating in a collaborative piece of work.

Bernstein's Mass to be staged in 2023 could feature singers, rock bands, a large scale orchestra, marching bands and street theatre.

It would probably be held outdoors - four farmers have already offered their barns and fields as potential venues.

Professional musician Martyn Owen, vice-chairman of ArtsTaunton and deputy principal at Richard Huish College, is fronting the planning for the initiative, but stressed it will be up to young people to come up with their own creative ideas.

He said: "I have a passion for working with young people to make sure they can realise their aspirations.

"Richard Huish is the greatest exporter of young people from Taunton because there's nothing on offer for them in this area.

"We want them to come back and the youth festival would be a platform for emerging young artists to show their talents to local and visiting audiences."

Mr Owen said the event needs to inclusive and that young people will be "at the centre of all that we're doing".

"It's a festival for young people by young people," he added.

Mr Owen said everything is at the planning stage and stakeholders and funding are being sourced to help facilitate young people to put on their own performances.

He added: "I'm working with stakeholders and everyone thinks it will be a fantastic development for our young people and something we can all get involved in."

A paid director will be appointed to help point them in the right direction.

A youth competition is to be staged for young people to come up with a name for the festival.