A five-day festival of music and family fun set up by a Lowestoft man dying from cancer will start on Friday. The Carlfest at the Mariner's Rest pub in Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, will see 20 bands and live acts and a family fun afternoon entertain hundreds of people until Tuesday.

Carlfest will be raising funds for the new charity CARL – which stands for Care and Real Lovin' and will support local good causes.

The charity was set up by Dean Lawson, 37 and whose nickname is Carl.

Mr Lawson has terminal cancer and is determined to raise �20,000 for good causes in the area before he dies.

Two weeks ago the former welder was told he only has weeks or months to live with doctors at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, saying they can no longer treat him after they counted at least 12 tumours in his abdomen.

Despite the grim news, Mr Lawson is determined to make sure Carlfest is a fantastic fund-raising success as, despite his condition, he will be greeting people at the door with a collection bucket.

Mr Lawson said: 'Carlfest has got something for everyone of all ages. I have only got a short time left, but I am going to make sure Carlfest will be a lot of fun.'

He choose the Mariner's Rest for the five day festival as he became friends with its landlord Shaun Underwood and partner Gemma Searby.

On Saturday there will be a family fun day between noon and 4pm with a display of circus skills among the fun activities. There will also be a barbecue.

The 20 bands and acts have been booked by Carlton Colville couple and trustee of CARL Darren Steger-Lewis and his partner Lindsay Moore, who also organises the Lowestoft-based KFest charity event.

The schedule for the bands and live acts during Carlfest is due to be:

Friday - Jamos: 7pm-7.40pm; Eastview: 8.10pm-8.50pm; Big Red Boat: 9.20pm-10.40pm.

Saturday - Ian Messenger: Noon-12.40pm; Lee Chapman: 1.10pm-1.50pm; Coral Cross: 2.20pm-3pm; Jonathan Marriott: 3.30pm-4.10pm; Jamos: 4.30pm-5pm; Open mic session: 5pm-7pm; The Figures: 7.30pm-8.10pm; Dirty Havana: 8.40pm-9.20pm; Nevacain: 9.50pm-10.50pm.

Sunday - Second Hand Blues: 9pm-10pm.

Monday - Jasmine Hope: 3pm-3.40pm; Tyler Darrington: 4.10pm-4.50pm; The Bricktops: 5.20pm-6pm; Gnu: 8.30pm-9.30pm.

Tuesday - Ben Lever: 5.30pm-6.10pm; Pete: 6.40pm-7.20pm; Matt & Gail: 7.50pm-8.30pm; Jamos: 9pm-10pm.

For information about CARL and to find out how you can support it visit Carlcharity@hotmail.co.uk or call Mr Steger-Lewis on 07790 765260.