THE FIRST festival in the area devoted to photography is to be held in Stroud in October 2007.

It comes after 19 local photographers enthusiastically supported the proposal at a recent meeting at the Subscription Rooms.

The Stroud area has a national and growing reputation for the visual arts, and the originators of the idea - Fred Chance and Carlos Ordonez of local group Foto Forum - think it is now time the photographic image was properly celebrated in its own right.

"We want to share our passion for photography and reveal the abundance of local photographic talent that exists in the Stroud area," said Fred Chance.

"A festival - which has become a bit of a local art form in itself - will be a great way to bring people together to promote the photographic image."

The gathering of professionals, students and amateurs at the Subscription Rooms heard guest speakers, Carole Sartain and Sue Swingler from New Cut Projects, talking about their research for the South West Arts Council into the experience and benefits of photography festivals, from Bangladesh to Brighton.

Discussion then focused on the Stroud Valleys, with its wealth of creative activity, the strong tradition of organising festivals, the variety of formal, informal and unlikely spaces for exhibiting photographic images and much more.

"We've agreed to get together again very soon to start the work of planning the event," said Carlos Ordonez. "We would invite everyone with a love for photography to support the festival, and help make it a great experience and success."

Anyone interested in getting involved, or knowing more about the festival, should contact Fred on 01453 755686, or Carlos on 01453 824212.