ORGANISERS of this year's Latitude Festival have taken the innovative step of creating a “green” stage to help reduce the event's carbon footprint.The Theatre Arena will be powered by a Hydrogen Fuel Cell which will emit low energy lighting and ensure the venue is doing its bit for the environment.

ORGANISERS of this year's Latitude Festival have taken the innovative step of creating a “green” stage to help reduce the event's carbon footprint.

The Theatre Arena will be powered by a Hydrogen Fuel Cell which will emit low energy lighting and ensure the venue is doing its bit for the environment.

The Latitude Festival - now in its third year - will take place from July 17-20 at the historic Henham Park estate near Southwold.

Organisers have teamed up with London's Arcola Theatre for the low energy stage - which will feature productions and performances from among others The Royal Court, the Bush Theatre, nabokov and Paines Plough.

A spokeswoman said: “The fuel cell operates almost silently and will produce nothing but electricity and clean water.

“This ground-breaking advancement in technology will bring down the carbon footprint of the festival and lessen the event's impact on its immediate surroundings and the world's climate as a whole.”

The partnership with Latitude is part of Arcola's extensive sustainability programme - Arcola Energy - which along with partners in the Mayor of London's Greening London Theatres initiative is spearheading the eco-culture frontier.

Scottish art rockers Franz Ferdinand will headline Latitude's Obelisk Arena, one of four music stages, while other bands confirmed to appear include Sigur Ros, Interpol, Elbow, The Breeders and Death Cab for Cutie.

Comedians Bill Bailey, Ross Noble, Rich Hall and Simon Amstell are among the artists booked to perform at the comedy arena.

Other writers and artists to appear at the festival for performances and readings include Mark Lamarr, Irvine Welsh, Iain Banks and Simon Armitage.

Performances and exhibits will be spread across the sprawling estate, including a special stage deep in the woodland.

The two previous Latitude festivals have proved a great success, with crowds enjoying the ambient atmosphere and huge range of entertainment.