THE organiser behind the popular Sandfest and Sandpolo events said they are “heading for a sell-out” as it returns to the beach again.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Sandbanks event was cancelled in 2020 and then postponed in July this year.

But Johnny Wheeler, Sandpolo director, said the event will be better than it has been in the past.

He said: “This is our 13th event and 14th year, and it would be a shame to miss another year.

“It was purely through demand we are running it, the vast majority kept hold of their tickets and we are heading for a sell-out.

“We want everybody to be comfortable, we will have 3,500 on both days and 5,000 people for Sandfest.

“We have excellent polo teams, probably better than we have had in the past.”

The event returns on Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18, with Sandfest taking place on Sunday, September 19.

This year, the US Polo Association are involved for the very first time.

Mr Wheeler continued: “We have been talking to them for a while, we have been admiring their polo equipment and we are delighted to have them.

“For Sandfest, Rudimental have been very flexible and we are so grateful to all the artists.

“It is a privilege to be able to provide so many people on our blue flag beaches, to people who want to listen to Rudimental to those who want to watch polo.

“We are very spoilt to be able to spend most our time on the beach without too much disruption to the usual use.

“We are very excited and are asking for common sense with the constant cloud of Covid.

“For an outdoor event people are very much being asked to their own risk assessments.

“We are following government and council guidelines and at the moment we will not be requiring people to provide evidence of double vaccination or negative test.

“We are encouraging people to wear masks in confined areas and demonstrate common sense, ticket holders will be notified in advance of the event.”

Mr Wheeler said a charity race between a horse and a 4x4 car would be taking place, with all proceeds going to Dorset Mind.

He added they were trying to be the cleanest event in the area and wanted “only footprints and hoofprints left in the sand”.