Preparations are in full swing for this year's Darwen Live music festival on the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend after last year's sizzling hot success.

Organiser Darren James believes that as it celebrates its 25th birthday it is the biggest free music event in the whole of the UK if not in Europe.

Between 35,000 and 40,000 people are expected to attend the two-day festival.

Headlining the main stage on Saturday is Tunde Baiyewu from the Lighthouse Family performing hits including Lifted, Ocean Drive and Goodbye Heartbreak with his full band.

On Sunday, 90s indie band Echobelly – best known for King of the Kerb and Great Things – are the main attraction in the middle of their UK tour.

Also on the main stage line-up are Fuzzbox (Pink Sunshine), Eddie and the Hotrods (Do Anything You Wanna Do), 80s rockabilly band The Jets, X-Factor finalist Kevin Davy White – fresh from performing with Lionel Ritchie – and festival favourites Merry Hell and genres including Country, Folk, Rock, Ska and Indie.

The official Second Stage at Darwen Library Theatre will host local favourites Free from the Wilde and Cormac Thompson, plus a Status Quo Acoustic tribute and talent from local music schools and DACA.

Hundreds of bands and acts from right across the country applied to perform on the main stage, second stage at Darwen Library Theatre and the alternative stage at Sunbird Records.

Mr James - who has been involved for more than a decade as a volunteer and now as the organiser - said: "Darwen Live is a chance for people to see local bands, national signed and unsigned artists and really good headliners all in one place and all for free.

"Through the fantastic contacts that King George’s Hall has we can draw in big names – often acts who are on tour – which means the crowds just grow and grow every year.

"In 2023, we had 40,000 people visit over the Darwen Live weekend coming from far and wide to enjoy live music for free supporting the town centre in the process.

"As well as the main stages, there’s more than 25 different venues offering live music – everything from vocal artists to bands, DJs and the likes of sax players and, importantly, a platform for youngsters and those who are just starting out too.

"We’re proud that Darwen Live is now the biggest free music festival in the whole of the UK – we think it may even be the biggest in Europe now!"

Among the many other venues taking part are The Vault, Level One Live, Tiki Taps, and Artisan.