BURNLEY was today gearing up for this year's Reach Festival - which organisers promised was going ahead despite recent heavy rain.

Preparations for the event, which is being held at Queen's Park, Burnley, tomorrow, are in full swing and although some attractions have had to move to dry ground council bosses said it would not be cancelled.

And a fringe event, which takes place in the run-up to the main festival in Queen's Park, is already under way to get Burnley buzzing.

There are seven venues involved in the fringe festival putting on everything from pop to punk rock. Tonight, acts including punk band Energica, Welsh four-piece My Red Cell, and Liverpudlian indie band 28 Costumes, were set to take the stage at the Keirby Hotel, in Keirby Walk.

It comes after Burnley's own world and UK DJ champion DJ Woody headlined the fringe's own DJ battle in Olivers Bar in the Burnley Mechanics Theatre last night.

Local bands are being given the chance to support the main acts at each of the events.

And a CD showcasing some of that local talent will be released to coincide with the fringe festival. The CD will be available free at all Reach 2 events over the weekend.

More than 50 bands and artists submitted demos and a panel of volunteers chose 15 for the CD.

The weekend will culminate tomorrow with a six-hour extravaganza in Queen's Park featuring live music on two stages, a woodland festival, arts and crafts, and street performers.

There will also be a junior cricket competition at the event which runs from noon until 6.30pm.

Among the street theatre performers will be the Sky Muffins, a group of 'air stewardesses' with a down to earth brand of humour who helped entertain audiences at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Another visitor will be Garry Gifford, a multi-talented performer from the Bread and Butter Theatre Company.

Garry's characters include Peat Moss, the prize-winning gardener, and fisherman Bill Insgate.

The festival has been organised by Burnley Council, Burnley College and Mid Pennine Arts.

Burnley Council will have a trailer at the event to promote its work. The trailer is the first in a series of Face to Face roadshows which will run until the end of October.