A housing concept that aims to help people achieve their own home, and become debt-free, will be on display at the upcoming Bath and West Country Festival, near Shepton Mallet.

Tiny Eco Homes UK will have a prominent position at the festival at the Bath and West Showground, from August 27 to 29.

Tiny Homes can be defined as a living space of less than 400 square feet, designed to make the most of every inch of space, but the Tiny House movement represents more than that - promoting financial prudence and environmental sustainability.

Social entrepreneur Erica Travies has been instrumental bring a Tiny Home to the festival, and she explained to Shepton Mallet Nub News why it means so much to her.

She said: "I see the Tiny Home as a potential solution to the housing, economic, environmental, social and health crises.

"I am supporting a manufacturer of Tiny Homes in the UK, a fine gentleman by the name of Chris March.

"He is coming down from up North with his Tiny Home, which is no mean feat when you look at the logistics of it, and will be setting up in a prime spot at the festival for the duration.

"I am assisting him throughout the event on the stand itself with fellow enthusiast Cat Rendle, and in addition to offering Tiny House tours, we will have table and chairs set up outside to talk with the general public, professionals and anybody else who might be intrigued enough to want to find out more.

"My vision is for young people to design and build their own tiny homes so that by the time they leave education they will have a home, debt free - and the skills to maintain it and build others.

"Having a cheap-to-run, portable home will enable them to become financially independent and secure, and when they move on to bricks and mortar homes, if they ever do, they could rent out their tiny homes - currently available to rent at £100 plus a night on Air BnB. It is a total win-win.

"So my mission is to find sites where live/work micro home enterprise parks could be established in existing communities which would tap into local resources, and address local needs.

"What is needed is for Government to support the creation of land use permits, effectively self-build plots for micro homes that can be purchased or rented long-term for mutual benefit.

"Tiny homes are just not comparable to caravans in any way, they are a beautiful thing that any community would be proud to host, and they could eventually replace the 'need' for second homes. Being portable would also mean allowing for relocation due to climate change, it floods and fires etc.

"This event is only the beginning. I have invited members of Mendip District Council Planning and Housing teams to come along and see for themselves what the potential is for these micro homes to serve communities."

For more information about the Bath and West Country Festival, you can check out our What's On listing here.