DARRENERS can spend ‘A Little Time’ watching some true 1990s chart-toppers in action later this month.

Organisers of Darwen Live have announced ‘The South’, the latest incarnation of The Beautiful South, as this year’s headline act.

The band, comprising original members Dave Hemingway, Dave Stead and Alison Wheeler, plus six new members, will close the show on the Sunday night.

The group performs hits by The Beautiful South, which include ‘Rotterdam’, ‘Don’t Marry Her’ and ‘Perfect 10’, as well as newly-released singles ‘Stick it in and Turn it’ and ‘The Entertainer’.

The original band, featuring Paul Heaton, split in 2007.

As previously reported in the Lancashire Telegraph, The SoulTrain will headline the festival on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.

Darwen Town Council chairman Coun Trevor Maxfield said bringing The South to Darwen was another coup for the festival.

He said: “We have had some top quality acts over the years perform at Darwen Live and The South will add to that impressive list. Darwen Live has really blossomed over the past 15 years and is a renowned festival across the North West.

“I am really looking forward to what promises to be yet another brilliant event.

“There are 17 venues taking part this year, so it’s not just the town centre main stage, but also pubs and the Library Theatre, and they all have great line-ups.

“I would like to thank, in advance, all the volunteers who will be there yet again who help to make it all possible.Fingers crossed the weather is on our side.”

Previous festival headliners have included The Buzzcocks, The Animals, Bad Manners, The Beat, The Blockheads and Spear of Destiny.