CITY shopping centre Drake Circus has pledged £10,000 in support of this year's summer-long festival in Plymouth.

Organisers are planning to make the 2009 Plymouth Summer Festival even bigger and better than last year's event, which was heralded a major success.

Now in its third year, the festival will run between May and September and is gearing up for another staggering array of top-notch entertainment.

Organisers described Drake Circus' contribution as "tremendous", coming just weeks after they called on city businesses to get behind the plans.

Project manager Elaine Budd said: "We'll be circulating one million leaflets and brochures around the region in the summer and Drake Circus will be a key part of that promotion.

"Their contribution is tremendous. We are fully aware how big a part the retail offering plays in relation to attracting visitors to the city.

"Statistics demonstrate the high percentage value to the retail industry of the tourism spend, so Drake Circus' investment will be a win-win one."

Mike Jones, general manager at Drake Circus, said: "We are delighted to be able to support the Summer Festival at this level.

"We remain committed to Plymouth and its wider community, and this is just one of many ways in which we work to keep Drake Circus at the heart of the city."

The programme for 2009's festivities is yet to be finalised, but it is expected to include the annual Flavour Fest, as well as about 25 other main events and 100 'fringe' events.

Banners will be put up all around the city in the weeks leading up to May, drumming up interest for Plymothians and visitors alike.

With the recession biting, many people are expecting an increase in UK tourism this year, with the South West likely to be a favourite destination.

"Our aim is to attract visits to the city by tourists already in the region," Elaine said, "especially with increased interest in domestic tourism this year due to the low value of the pound."

She said the brochures and leaflets would go to all the holiday parks in Devon and Cornwall, as well as hotels and bed and breakfasts.

Mr Jones added: "We are looking forward to another successful festival, which always succeeds in not just entertaining Plymothians, but also attracting visitors to the city from further afield."

So far, Plymouth Summer Festival has been boosted by cash sponsorship from the Plymouth City Centre Management Company, Drake Circus, Theatre Royal, Plymouth Pavilions, National Marine Aquarium, Babcock Marine, South West Media Group, The Navy and PRENSUS.