The Swaffham Rotary Visual Arts Festival begins on September 28 with a series of events to raise money for local, national and international charities.

The festival aims to reflect and showcase the rich talent of west Norfolk arts and crafts through a series of artistic events such as films, theatre, exhibitions and photography showings, while raising funds for both the Rotary Foundation and the End Polio campaign as well as contributing to other charities.

The festival's main event is an exhibition and sale of works of art on October 26 to 28, which will take place at Swaffham's Assembly Rooms.

President Malcolm Whittley of the Swaffham Rotary said: 'We have a very full programme lasting throughout October starting with a showing of the film Breathe concerning polio. We are supporting End Polio to highlight the fact that it is still not eradicated.

'I began the visual arts festival 25 years ago to encourage the knowledge of arts and to get people to take part in the arts in the Swaffham area.'

The Rotary is a worldwide network of approximately 1.2 million members over 200 countries who volunteer their time to serve the local community to raise money for charity by responding to the ever-changing needs of the world.

There are 27 members in Swaffham who arrange events to benefit the community, for example a stroke awareness day which gives people the chance to have their blood pressure tested, as well as raising funds to help charities.

The goal of the members is to stand up for what is right and positive in their community and help these aspects to thrive by supporting those who need help and by fighting against injustice.

First fouded in Chicago, the organisation is more than 105 years old and has grown over the years into the club we know today.

This year's festival will be kicked off with a showing of the film Breathe, a heart-warming film about a man's struggle against polio.

Tickets for the festival are available from Ceres Bookshop, London Street, Swaffham or from any Rotarian, costing £9 per person with a buffet supper prior to the showing.