A NEW summer family music event is being held for the first time in Blackburn on July 1.

More than 20 North West acts have been confirmed for the afternoon festival being held at Warehouse 1, King Street.

The grade II listed building, part of which used to be home to live music venue the Cellar Bar, will host three stages from 2pm, including an outdoor stage in the rear courtyard.

Teenage stand-up sensation Lewis Costello, who writes material for TV comedian Russell Howard’s BBC3 show Good News, is the organiser and will also perform a set at the event.

The 18-year-old from Brownhill, Blackburn, will headline an open mic session from 9pm when one of the music stages is transformed into an adult comedy club.

Lewis, who is studying A-levels at St Mary’s College, said his vision was to host an event that can grow into the size of the old Arts In The Park festival, which once attracted thousands of visitors before folding in 2007.

“Blackburn has lost a bit of identity over recent years and a festival for everyone will hopefully go some way to bringing something back for the town,” said Lewis, who has already supported big name comics Ed Byrne and Johnny Vegas in his short career.

“It’s a lot smaller at this stage, but I have to start somewhere.

"I’m confident this year’s event will be good enough to get a reputation that we can grow it next year and continue to do so.”

The bands, all of who are performing free of charge, include rockers Dear Sanity, indie boys The Peeks, acoustic guitarist Jamie Gallagher, rapper Bill Shakes, and rockers Samuel Bucca, all from Blackburn.

Other artists are travelling from Liverpool and Preston, including DJ LSG and Everything Forever.

Comedians on the line-up include new acts on the circuit Danny Hogarth, Charlie Craven and Luke Gillard.

Lewis added: “The dream is to create something that can become as big as Arts In The Park was but at the same time offering a unique combination of music and comedy.”

Lewis launched his stand-up career aged 15 when he performed a five-minute set at Blackburn's sell-out Frog and Bucket Comedy Club after begging show bosses for a slot.

His set opened the 2008 Blackburn’s You Must Be Joking Comedy Festival, which featured shows from household names Jimmy Carr, Paddy McGuinness and Jason Manford.

Going on to provide the comic voice of the BBC Introducing show, and becoming a writer for Russell Howard, he has since taken his act as far as New York.

And after Lewis has finished his exams, the full-time student is set to embark on an international tour, Going Nowhere, which takes in 13 dates so far, including The Live Lounge, Blackburn, on June 16 followed by bookings in America and Canada.

You can also catch him on Manchester-based Channel M in the coming months after he was asked to film six episodes documenting his past and current stand-up material.

But for Lewis the biggest project for him this year is making a success of his summer festival in his home town.

He said: “We’ve had to turn down bands over recent weeks, even though there’s no fee, because we’ve run out of space.

"So that’s a good sign already that there is a gap in the market for an all-ages event like this in the summer.

“We are already looking at moving next year’s event to farmland near Belthorn, with outdoor stages and tents.

“I just hope the weather is OK for us. It’s been so changeable that you have no idea, but the outdoor element is important for us. It’s a more family-friendly environment.

“I’ve chosen the day in the hope the sun will shine on us.”

* The Secret Summer Party is at Warehouse 1, Blackburn on Friday, July 1. All day tickets are £5 available from CellBlock and BatCave, Northgate, Blackburn, or payable on the door.