Fowey's Du Maurier Festival name changed

Daphne du Maurier's work includes Rebecca, the Jamaica Inn and Frenchman's Creek

The name of a Cornish festival has been changed in a bid to broaden its appeal and attract more visitors.

The Du Maurier Festival will now be known as the Fowey Festival of Words and Music.

It was set up to pay tribute to Cornish author Daphne du Maurier.

Tony Wright, the chair of the trustees, said the festival had been "immensely successful" since it was launched 16 years ago, but needed to evolve and attract a new audience.

He said: "When we were looking at our goals, particularly looking at attracting a new audience and a more diverse audience, we began questioning whether the brand really was conveying the product."

Festival trustee Lynne Gould said: "We'll still have the Du Maurier content for the fans, but the Fowey Festival of Words and Music will hopefully attract a wider and younger audience."

Daphne du Maurier, who died 19 April 1989, is famous for Rebecca, the Jamaica Inn and Frenchman's Creek.

The festival will be held in Fowey between 8 and 18 May 2013.