The Wandsworth Arts Festival promises to be better than ever when it returns this year thanks to a £40,000 funding boost.

Arts Council England is providing the funding while Wandsworth's very own Southside Shopping Centre has agreed to be the main sponsor for the event's third year.

The festival will run from May 3-19, with an official launch taking place on the opening day.

Last year's artistic celebration featured more than 40 events - and culminated with a huge outdoor event called the Shimmy, which boasted more than 15 acts, exhibitions, workshops and craft and food stalls between Putney Bridge and Wandsworth Park over a 24-hour period.

Visitors to the festival can expect the Shimmy to return in 2013 - but they will also be treated to a variety of new commissions made possible by the Arts Council's funding.

New to this year's line up is the Festival Fringe. Under the guidance of a voluntary festival steering committee, the Fringe will include a host of community-based events and act as a testing ground for new work.

For more information email arts@wandsworth.gov.uk, call (020) 8871 8711 or write to Arts Team, Staff Yard, Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ.