DJ lessons and sand sculpting are helping Latitude Festival grow in popularity with a younger audience, reports SAM RUSSELL.

It boasts internationally renowned music artists in the beautiful surroundings of the Suffolk countryside. But for youngsters less interested in standing by a stage than trying new things, Latitude Festival is appealing for another reason.

And organisers have been adding to the side of the festival aimed at children to ensure they are having as much fun as their parents.

This year teens can learn to DJ before showing off their new-found skills to friends, try wood-carving and even gain arts qualifications.

One activity was so popular, even organisers of the Inbetweener's Teen Area were taken aback.

'We had to put crowd control barriers in this morning for the fashion workshop,' revealed Elli Chapman, artistic director for Norwich-based Cultureworks East.

She expects up to 900 people to try the workshops over the weekend, and has a crew of 148 staff to run them.

'I think Latitude is unique in the fact there's a huge number of national and international art, music and culture, and they really support young and emerging artists and local organisations,' she said. 'We're proud to be involved.'

She said the biggest addition this year is the partnership with the EDP and Evening News, giving people the opportunity to find out about a career path in the creative industries.

And teens can gain arts awards – which Ms Chapman said were formal qualifications – Latitude is the first festival to offer this.

Emily Chapman, 12, of Norwich, tried her hand at reporting in a workshop led by EDP/Evening News assistant editor David Powles.

She watched the band Theme Park and wrote a review, and said she learnt a lot to help her writing.

And she said the workshops have added to her enjoyment of Latitude.

'It's my first year and I love it,' she beamed. 'I thought it was going to be busier but there's a nice number of people here.

'Not everyone just likes music.

'If you don't like one of the bands you can come to the Inbetweener's area and do something fun.'

The Inbetweener's area – which also boasts a stage where talented young musicians perform – is aimed at older children.

But younger children have not been forgotten about, with a dedicated kids' area complete with helter skelter, face painting and sand sculpting displays.

Father-of-two Toby Craig, 42, of Worlingham, brought his sons Sam, 12, and Liam, nine, to the festival.

'It's really good,' he said. 'They've looked at the face painting, wood-carving and helter skelter.'

He added they enjoyed the wood-carving most, and that it is his third year at Latitude. 'I like it here as it's small, it's local, it's too good to miss when it's on your doorstep and the weather's like this,' he said.