A VALLEY licensee is putting the final touches to a summer music festival he hopes will be the first of many.

Stuart Law, who runs the Royal Oak, in Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, is the prime mover behind the inaugural Thwaites Beers Ramsbottom Rhythm and Blues Festival, to be staged June 18 to 20.

Burnley and Colne already have successful music festivals and Stuart now hopes Ramsbottom's version will be a genuine rival to both.

Stuart has teamed up with local businessmen Kevin Barlow and Chris Cullen, both members of the King Bees band, who will appear at the event. Director of the Bury Met, Ged Kelly, is also helping to organise the festival.

Stuart said: "I really believe we have a better line-up for our first stab than they had at this year's well-established Burnley event."

The Royal Oak will stage some of the gigs, while the main stage will be at Ramsbottom Civic Hall.

Acts expected to appear include Mick Abrahams, a founder member of Jethro Tull and a former member of soul legends, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds.

Bridge Street will be closed for the weekend and the East Lancashire Railway will also take enthusiasts from Bury and Rawtenstall aboard the steam Blues Train.

Stuart said: "We came up with the idea about six months ago and it's grown from there. The pub is just one venue but there will be 12 bands performing here.

"It's going to be a massive event and we hope the first of many."