MADCHESTER legends The Happy Mondays have been announced as headliners for this year’s Beat-Herder Festival in the Ribble Valley.

This year’s event from Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20, will also see an appearance from Seventies’ chart-toppers Boney M, dance music pioneers The Orb and a one-off performance by Welsh urban heroes Goldie Looking Chain.

The Happy Mondays led by Shaun Ryder and featuring Bez were at the forefront of the indie scene in Manchester.

The band celebrated 25 years together last year with a series of high profile dates and their Beat-Herder appearance represetns a major coup for the festival.

Now in its nineth year, the event, in the shadow of Pendle Hill, is renowned for its ecletic mix of DJs and bands.

Festival co-founder Nick Chambers: “It’s such an exciting bill it’s hard to know where to start. And it’s all topped off with the Happy Mondays on Sunday night. It’s going to be amazing!”

Beat-Herder prides itself on being a completely different festival experience and this year festival goers can expect 15 unique, craftsman built stages including the main stage, the oriental mystery of The Fortress, the heady atmosphere of The Woods, the Trailer Trash Big Top, a Snug and even an authentic Working Men’s Club.

Other acts announced so far include Italian electro house punks The Bloody Beetroots who will headline on the Saturday night and German techno legend Timo Maas.

Festival regulars the Dub Pistols, Mr Scruff and The Utah Saints are all returning More acts are to be announced. Tickets are now on sale from www.beatherder.co.uk