MUCH-LOVED DJ Fatboy Slim will be opening a festival to raise money and give Hove Lagoon a facelift.

Friends of Hove Lagoon (FoHL) has put together the first LagoonFest event to raise funds for new plants.

The design, by Brighton landscape designer Nicholas Dexter, includes natural plants, wildflowers and a herb garden and the aim is to attract more people and wildlife to the popular space.

Sue Johnson, secretary of FoHL, said: “We’re very excited about LagoonFest.

“We want to put in new plants around the lagoon to make it a greener place.

“Our committee, which comprises Hove residents and the lagoon’s businesses, has worked hard to promote and maintain the lagoon which has been with us since the 1930s. Because we are on the edge of the local authority centre, sometimes we get forgotten.

“We have raised £6,000 for the project through crowdfunding.

“In the broader scheme of things, we hope this project will be a springboard to redevelop other areas in Hove that need a facelift, including the lawns along Hove seafront.”

Councillor Robert Nemeth of Wish ward and chairman of FoHL, said: “I’m really excited to be part of the team for LagoonFest.

“It’s a new venture for Brighton and Hove and our hope is that residents and those living further afield will come and support it.

“The main aim of this festival is to raise funds so that we can install new natural plantings around Hove Lagoon and make it a more appealing space for residents and visitors.

“We’re very thankful to Norman Cook for opening LagoonFest and hope it will be the first of many.”

Nicholas Dexter, of nd:studio landscape design, said: “This is a great project to be working on and I’m delighted to be a part of it.

“I’ve lived in Brighton for more than 20 years and I know Hove Lagoon so well.

“I’m passionate about creating simple, natural and ecologically friendly outdoor spaces and getting people closer to nature.

“In all our designs, we aim to protect, restore and reintroduce wildlife and wild nature to our landscapes.”

Fatboy, who lives next to the lagoon and owns the cafe there, will open Lagoonfest on Saturday, September 8, from 11am until 4pm.

Entry will be free. There will be plenty of activities including live bands and dancing, food and drink stalls, a skateboard lesson and skateboard jam, as well as street art by Cassette Lord and numerous water sports demonstrations.