THE organiser of this year's Sound 2001 festival in Accrington hopes the sun will come out to make this year's event a scorching success.

Dave Fullalove, from Accrington, says the six bands appearing on stage are hoping for hot weather and thousands of visitors to the free event at Oakhill Park, Manchester Road on Sunday.

About 6,000 people were not put off by the wet weather at last year's festival, even after a torrential downpour blew a fuse in the PA system.

Mr Fullalove, who has been giving up his time for free to help co-ordinate the event with Hyndburn Council, remembers how the organisers moved the equipment into a marquee and carried on the show under drier conditions.

He "But what I really want is to carry on the growth of the Sound festivals, which has got bigger and bigger since it started nine years ago. 'Most of the bands are local and entry is free, so I hope people come along to support them."

Headlining this year are Tompaulin, from Blackburn, who have already gained an international reputation for their acoustic sounds.