PERFORMERS at an international folklore festival are having to sell their instruments because they fear they will be penalised when they fly home.

The Indonesian musicians are planning to sell all of their costumes and original instruments, worth hundreds of pounds, before flying out this coming weekend after they spent a week at Billingham Folklore Festival, on Teesside.

Yusup Oeblet, a music teacher with the Al-Izhar Performing Art Community, from Jakarta, said there were two reasons for the unusual sale.

He said: "We are scared we are going to be overweight.

"Previously, when we went to France, we had to pay $4,000 in excess luggage and we do not want to do that again.

"But I also want to introduce music from Indonesia to local people in the North-East.

"Yes, I am sad about seeing it all go, but my mission is to introduce our culture and country to other people. I want people to look at the instruments and remember my country."

The Indonesian group, consisting of 21 dancers and six musicians, have been performing at the 41st Billingham Folklore Festival this week and are due to give their last performance on Saturday night.

They fly out on Sunday morning, so hope to have sold everything by then.

The group's set of six bongo-type drums, along with its hasapi guitar, will be sold together for £600, while other instruments and dozens of costumes may be sold individually.

Mr Oeblet said it was the first time the group had attended the festival, and that members had enjoyed it and liked England.

He said: "We hope to come back to the festival one day."

Festival director Joe Maloney said ticket sales been good so far, but that more were still available.

There are shows in Billingham town centre every day from 2pm, and in the Billingham Forum each night. Ticket prices are from £2.50 for adults.

However, lack of sponsorship this year has meant there are only eight countries performing, as opposed to 12 last year.

To inquire about the sale of the instruments, or sponsorship next year, call (01642) 566650.

For event tickets, call (01642) 552663.