IT’S taken seven months of hard sweat and toil, but the Damn Dead Circus – an independent music festival spearheaded by Phillious Williams’ front man Mark Schubert – is nearly here.

I went along to the site at Flemings Farm Road in Eastwood, to look at the progress being made. Mark, along with two of a team of helpers, artist Peter Brenchley and film and TV set designer, Antony Haylock, were busy creating a Western-themed set that will be the centrepiece of the festival.

The “town” features an oyster shack, sheriff’s office, an Old Telegraph office, which will be a hang out for the press and photographers, an indoor market, a hairdresser’s, where wet shaves will be given outside on the front porch, two bars and a house of speed, where motorbikes will be tethered outside in the manner of horses.

There will even be a Prairie House, especially for children.

“We have some teachers coming to help out with the kids”, Mark explained. “They are going to be able to do all sorts of creative things, like weave bullrushes so they can make dens, paint and make a teepee, and make dream catchers and totem poles.”

I was at the two former Day of the Damn Dead events, which were then private parties held close to the current site. This festival, which has been granted a permanent licence, is huge in comparison, with a stunning backdrop of land.

There is car parking, a big camping area for 500 and ample space for the collection of five star food vendors, as well as the main marquee where the bands will play.

“It’s all on schedule”, said Mark, surprisingly calm considering the mammoth project before him. “There is a lot to do, but we have time to do it.”

It is hoped that the festival will grow and become an annual event.

“Unless anything goes horribly wrong, I don’t see why it shouldn’t happen”, says Mark. “It is a positive thing. It’s good for the farmer whose land it is.

“We are not making money out of it”, he added. “We’ll probably lose out a bit – not much though.”

All of the 1,000 tickets are expected to sell, with some being available on the gate. Mark and his team have been whizzing around delivering them.

I wondered if he regretted what he’d started.

“Not at all”, Mark said. “It’s good to do something different. And this has been like an expansion of all the things going on my head – this town and the Phillious Williams songs come out of my book – it’s evolved from that. And I just like throwing a good party.”

Tickets will be available until midnight tonight. Visit damndeadcircus.com for ticket information or call 07447 088966 or 07800 546228. Tickets are from £25 to £55.

The Damn Dead Circus festival site opens at noon on Saturday, closing at 11.30pm on Sunday. Those with weekend camping tickets can access the site to set up tents from 11am on Saturday. Due to licence restrictions the campsite closes on Monday at 10am.