THE full line-up for Blackburn’s ‘Countryside Comes To Town’ midsummer festival has been revealed.

The programme for the town centre celebration on Saturday, June 20 has been confirmed with CBeebies children’s television star Mr Bloom as top of the bill.

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Harriet Roberts, manager of Blackburn’s Business Improvement District (BID), which has organised the event, promised this year’s festival will be just the start.

She said: “This year is a trial run for next year when it will be a week-long event organised with the Cathedral’s Flower Festival.

“We will be holding our second Blackburn Heritage Festival in September.

“These events show that the town centre is beginning to bloom again.”

The ‘Countryside Comes to Town’ festival will feature a pop-up petting farm in King William StreetShaun the Sheep, maypole dancing, and a bee parade.

There will also be an indoor beer festival, a natural history trail, a giant talking compost heap, as well as pony rides, and giant insects.

Other exciting events on the agenda for the free festival include an ‘Ugly Bug Ball’, folk music from ‘The Hut People’, popular farmers’ market and the chance to milk Matilda the Cow, a life-size working model.

Panto favourites Sarah the Cook and Daisy the Cow will be performing in the town centre near the Town Hall, as well as the ‘Pop-Up Princesses’ going walkabout.

Mr Bloom, the Cbeebies gardener, will be on stage in Town Hall Square at 4pm.

Ms Roberts said: “Last year’s Blackburn Heritage Festival, with more than 100 activities over two days, was a great success.

“We know from our research parents want more things to do with the children in the town centre.

“This is what we are providing and there will be more in 2016.”

The printed festival programme and map will begin distribution next week and go will also be online .