THE popular Big Day Out festival is returning to South Hill Park after a two-year break.

The extravaganza will take place on Saturday, September 15, and organisers are promising it will be "bigger and better than ever before".

Funding cuts meant it was not held last year - with Park Life staged instead - but organisers say they have a great programme planned and have scheduled the later date to avoid clashing with the Olympics.

South Hill Park, in Birch Hill, will also be holding its free festival, Fusion Asia Bracknell, on Saturday, September 1.

Ron McAllister, chief executive of the centre, said: "I am delighted that both big summer festivals are happening at South Hill Park this year - thanks to the hard work of our partners Pitch Black and Unseen Dreams, and the support of the Arts Council England and our caterers ContractIn." He said festival-goers can expect "two wonderful days of musical entertainment". The full line-ups will be announced later.

It will be the seventh time Big Day Out and producer, William Trevelyan, said: "I'm�very excited for Bracknell and the arts centre as the warm and very friendly people of the town really deserve an arts festival.

"South Hill Park also happens to be�the best spot for a small-scale�festival I can think of! Performers love playing there.

"This year,�our theatrical�themes,�which are linked into the Olympiad, are youth and a sustainable environment.

"There will be plenty�of live music, both on stages and in promenade,�with acts from the region and from across Europe. We can't wait!" Fusion Asia Bracknell has been held at the centre annually since 2010, and this year will feature New York band Red Baraat plus bhangra and Bollywood workshops, food, craft and clothing stalls, processions and more.

* Fusion Asia Bracknell runs from 1-8pm on Saturday, September 1 and is free. For updates see www.fusion asia.co.uk * Big Day Out runs from 1-10.30pm on Saturday, September 15. Tickets are �10 adults and �5 under 18s in advance or �12 and �7 respectively on the door. Under 12s go free. Book via the box office on 01344 484123 or www.southhillpark.org.uk