A LINE-UP featuring old favourites and new talent will be on show at this year's Bromyard Folk Festival.

Preparations for the festival are going well according to organisers.

They had been fears in recent months that plans could be undermined by delays with repairs at the nearby Church Street bridge and a loss of venue for the festival's craft fair.

But with the repair work going to schedule and another location found for the fair, organisers are looking forward to seeing crowds enjoy a star-studded line-up when the festival runs from Friday, September 12, to Sunday, September 14.

Highlights include The Faire-winds, featuring singer-songwriter Anne Hills, vocalist Aoife Clancy and instrumentalist Belinda Jones. Vin Garbutt, Canadians Tanglefoot and Coope, Boyes and Simpson will also be wowing the crowds.

Angus Grant, the festival's marketing spokesman is sure the line-up will compliment folk music's popularity.

"If you look at Glastonbury there's a huge element of folk music. Womad sells out every year. The interest is there for folk music," said Mr Grant.

He acknowledged there were other folk events around but added: "I think Bromyard's unique because it's a beautiful town set on the Downs.

"Plus not having a single fixed venue sets it apart - there's nothing on the field the week before but by Wednesday and Thursday it's up.

"A lot of people do like that atmosphere a lot. People say this is the last festival of the summer."

Fellow organiser Annie Jones praised the input from Bromyard residents.

"Everyone's very positive - they do all they can to help us and it really works outs. It's great for the people in Bromyard that they are behind us."

Tickets for the whole weekend cost £53 (under 10s get in free) while other tickets for parts of the event cost from £8 to £31.

For more information and tickets log onto www.bromyard-folk-festival.org.uk or ring the new box office number on 01885 490323.