LANCASHIRE folk group The Houghton Weavers are set to return to Preston later this month with their unmistakable brand of music and humour that has 'kept folk smiling' for over 25 years.

The Houghton Weavers, named after a small town outside Bolton and the traditional Lancashire industry, started working the Northern folk curcuit in 1975, before they got their big break with their own TV show 'Sit Thi Deawn' which ran to six series.

Boasting a further six series on Radio Two, numerous TV appearances and an amazing 23 albums, The Weavers have worked with many famous personalities including Cannon and Ball, Ken Dodd, Rick Wakeman, Mike Harding, Billy Connolly, Jasper Carrott and Norman Wisdom among others.

As the group enter their 27th year in showbusiness the line-up has changed since the early days -- the two original members, lead singer Tony Berry and multi-instumentalist Dave Littler, are now joined on stage by guitarist Jeff Hill and keyboard and guitar player Steve Millington.

Their shows, which mix popular folk with sketches and hilarious anecdotes, have won the group acolades from all sides of the media.

But, despite great national success, many of the band's most ardent supporters still hail from their native Lancashire (despite the fact that one of the band is actually from Cheshire!), so their return to Preston promises to fulfill their original and unwavering motto to 'keep folk smiling'.

If you want to join in the fun you can catch The Houghton Weavers live at The Charter Theatre in Preston on Saturday 21st April.

For more information please call the box office on (01772) 203456.