COLNE’S famous Blues festival is up for a prestigious award as one of the top festivals in the genre in the country.

The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, which has blues aficionados flocking to the town every year, has been nominated for the 2011 British Blues Awards.

The festival will compete for votes alongside five other festival in the UK to be named the countries top event.

Alison Goode, festival organiser, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been nominated for an award and what makes it more special is the fact that we have been nominated by someone who enjoys the festival.”

The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony at Newark Castle during Newark Blues Festival on September 11.

This year’s festival takes place on August 26 to 29.