BUSINESSES in the Ribble Valley are getting a massive boost from the borough’s growing festival season, according to tourism chiefs.

They said the area was fast becoming the capital of East Lancashire's arts and music scene.

And two festivals are set to drawn in the crowds in the coming weeks.

The first is the Beat-Herder Festival mixing top name DJs, local bands and 7,500 music lovers at Dockber Farm, in the heart of the Sawley countryside, over three days.

With more than 450 performances featuring dance music, live bands and top DJs, this year’s programme promises to produce the biggest yet on July 1, 2 and 3.

Elsewhere, the new indie and folk Cloudspotting festival is being held in the grounds of the Aspinall Arms Country Pub in Mitton Road, near Whalley, on July 9 and 10.

Headlining acts at the tw-day event include the She Keeps Bees duo from New York, critically acclaimed folk singer, Michael Chapman, King Creasote and Manchester-based indie act, Gideon Conn.

Revellers will be able to camp in a nearby farmers' field and musicians will play in the pub's garden as well as on an indoor stage Families will also be catered for with children's event including an Invertebrae Hunt in the River Ribble and there will be a literary festival for bookworms.

Organiser James Gilbraith, who runs Clitheroe-based Play Happy Promotions company, said: "It is in a lovely scenic spot and is an ideal location to hold a music event.

"We are hoping to attract around 400 people and we hope that it will become an annual thing.”

This weekend St. Wilfrid’s Church, Ribchester, is hosting the Ribchester Festival of Music of Art featuring classical, Latin American and big band styles.

The events are hot on the heels of the first ever Whalley Live Festival last weekend, the Clitheroe Jazz and Blues Festival, Pickwick Night, Ribble Valley Food Trail and Middle Earth Beer Festival.

Rebecca Webster, Ribble Valley Tourism and Arts officer, said the local economy would receive a huge boost.

"There is something here for everyone and once you come here you will keep coming back- "This is only the beginning and tourism in the area will keep growing attracting people from all walks of life.”