SHORTLY before Emma Gibson died from a heart attack she joked with her friend about her favourite band one day playing a gig in their village.

Just over a year later pop rock band Scouting for Girls have answered the call and will headline a festival in her memory in Long Hanborough this summer.

Nicky Busby and her friend Emma Gibson regularly went to concerts and organised music events in the village before the latter died last February aged 43.

Mrs Busby contacted the band on the off chance they would accept and was in shock when they did.

She said: "I wanted to organise something as a way of celebrating her and all that she loved in life.

"She loved music and was always going to concerts and organised a few events herself.

"Scouting for Girls were her favourite band, she loved them so I asked them if they would play – I couldn't believe it when they said yes."

The pair organised for the Wurzels to play in Long Hanborough last year when Nicky was battling bowel cancer.

The mother-of-two has since beaten cancer but Emma, who had a 12-year-old daughter Chloe, never lived to see the concert after a heart attack that was later found to be due to Coronary Artery Disease.

The duo had joked about Scouting for Girls coming to Long Hanborough and Mrs Busby said her friend would be so proud she had made it happen.

The 54-year-old said: "Unfortunately she passed away before the concert but when we were organising it we joked it would be incredible to have Scouting for Girls in the future.

"I still can't believe we have secured them and I know Em will be so proud of our achievements and we will be able to celebrate her life thanks to their support."

The band heard Emma's story and accepted the request at what is believed to be a much lower price than their normal fee.

Money from this summer's event, dubbed Emfest, will go towards the British Heart Foundation in memory of Emma.

Mrs Busby, who worked with Emma at the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, said she was a popular figure in the community and was still sorely missed.

She said: "Emma's death hit so many people so hard.

"It left such a large hole in the community, she was very popular and she was just fab."

"No-one knew she had the disease and we wanted to raise money for the BHF

"To have her favourite band at a live music event and raise money for the charity will be the perfect way to remember her life and do something for a good cause."

The Village Idiots and True Vibe will also play at the event on Friday May 27 on Long Hanborough playing fields.

Tickets are available at £25 by emailing Emfestsfg@gmail.com or by calling 07949490324