DARWEN is to host a jazz and blues festival in August featuring two main concerts and a host of other live music events around the town.

The festival, organised by Darwen Music Projects, will run from Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 11.

The main stage for the event will be at Darwen Library Theatre, with The Stumble playing on the opening night.

The Preston-based six-piece have built up a following around the UK with their Chicago-style rhythm and blues and saxophonist Simon Anthony has been nominated for instrumentalist of the year at this year’s British Blues Awards.

There will be two stages at the Library Theatre with the acoustic blues of Brother Bastion entertaining the audience before the show and during the interval on the Friday night.

On Saturday there will be an acoustic blues revue featuring six performers, including headliner Tom Doughty, left in a wheelchair following a road accident in 1974, and triple British Blues Award nominee Lucy Zirins, from Burnley.

Organiser Gary Ward said: “Last year there was a lot of jazz on offer whereas this year we hace an acoustic blues theme running throughout the event.

“The success of last year’s festival has encouraged us to want to maintain Darwen Jazz and Blues Weekend as a regular fixture on the town’s calendar.”

As well as the Library Theatre, other venues taking part around the town centre include Number 39 Hopstar Brewery, the Crown, the Millstone, Deli Carlo and Mangiamos.

Tickets for both shows at Darwen Library Theatre are now on sale, priced £10 each or a two-day ticket is available from £15.

For details, contact the box office on 01254 706006.

LINE UP

6.30pm Mr Cottonhouse

7pm Brett Slater

7.15 Steven Sagar

7.30pm Lucy Zirins

8pm Steven Sagar

8.15pm Tom Attah

9pm Steven Sagar

9.15pm Tom Doughty