THE Fab Four are heading for Blackburn as one of the main attractions of the Arts in the Park Festival next weekend.

The Bootleg Beatles, widely recognised as the finest Beatles' tribute band of them all, will headline the free festival for all the family on Saturday, July 6.

The following night, the English Symphony Orchestra will be the main attraction, playing a wide range of movie and show tunes, culminating in a massive firework display.

Organisers anticipate that over 20,000 people per day will flock to the event being held in Corporation Park, where there will be both a main stage and a second stage showcasing top local bands.

Other attractions will include The Ukrainians, formed out of remnants of Indie chart band The Wedding Present, who now play traditional Ukrainian-style tunes in their own inimitable way.

Top local live act The Winchesters will also be appearing on the Saturday.

Perhaps the most famous name to appear during the two-day festival will be Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy. The actor, known to millions as Curly Watts, will be performing live with his band to promote his new album Coronation Streets and is sure to draw a big crowd.

With top samba band Eso Es and top local talent from the Jam Factory adding their own blend of jazz, it promises to be a day to remember.

On the Sunday, leading gospel trio The Gospel Heirs will get things underway on the main stage followed by Black Umfolosi, Zimbabwe's leading acapella group. Then comes the classical concert and firework finale.

By booking The Bootleg Beatles, the organisers have pulled off a major coup.

The band, who have been together longer than The Beatles themselves, have forged a tremendous reputation as a live act, playing at many of the big festivals.

They came together in 1979 from the cast of the West End musical Beatlemania and have played to sell-out crowds around the world. They have headlined the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, playing in front of 90,000 people, joined The Corrs, Rod Stewart and Simple Minds at the Fleadh in London and played at Wembley Stadium with Jon Bon Jovi and Anfield with the Manic Street Preachers.

From the Royal Albert Hall to the Budokan in Tokyo, the Bootleg Beatles have astounded audiences with their amazing show -- and now they're heading for Blackburn.

Arts in the Park will also feature workshops and family-orientated events and is organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Coun Kate Hollern said: "We have attempted to bring in an eclectic range of entertainment which should attract crowds and complement other children's and family activities.

"Nowhere else in the region does an event of this nature take place for free and as a consequence it is rightly becoming recognised at a regional level.

"All that we ask is that people come along to join in the celebration and contribute to one of the best weekend festivals of the year."

ARTS IN THE PARK - THE FULL LINE-UP

MAIN STAGE

VARIETY: The Bootleg Beatles (main picture), Black Umfolosi (top) and Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy

Saturday, July 6

1pm Jam Factory, 2pm Rock Idol, 2.30pm Kevin Kennedy and Band, 3.15pm Eso Es, 4pm The Winchesters, 7.15pm The Ukrainians, 8.30pm The Bootleg Beatles

Sunday, July 7

1pm Gospel Heirs, 3pm Black Umfolosi, 8pm English Symphony Orchestra, 10.15pm Firework Finale

ALTERNATIVE STAGE

Saturday

1pm The Itch, 2pm Grim Beavers, 3pm Spiral Minds, 4pm The Reserved, 5pm Rocket Dog, 6pm The Two Hats, 7pm tbc, 8pm Dustfly, 9.20pm Reever

Sunday

1.30pm Sham & Dave, 2pm Adil B, 3pm The Habbiba Dancers , 4pm Darwen Library Players, 4.45pm Blackburn People's Choir, 5.15pm Mel, 5.30pm Spe, 6pm Blowjangles