A CAVALCADE of 500 Lambrettas and Vespas will be gearing up for action at the fifth Ribble Valley Mod Weekender.

Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre will provide the focal point for the three-day autumn bash, with a host of bands and DJs playing at the York Street venue on the festival’s main night.

The retro line-up includes The Specials tribute band – The Extra Specials – The Chords and Mike Walker’s The Circles.

The Chords, who enjoyed hits with Maybe Tomorrow and In My Street’and were signed up by Sham 69 leader Jimmy Pursey, will headline the Saturday night slot at the Grand.

“The Chords were at the cutting edge of the 1980s Mod revival, and their lead singer Chris Pope will also be doing a free acoustic set at the ESC bar in Clitheroe, so that’s a real coup,” said organiser Steve Porter.

“We’ve got New Wave, punk and mod groups from all generations, including a fantastic teenage Mod band from Scotland – Dog Tooth – who are causing a real stir.”

Porter added: “Last year the Grand show sold out and we are on course again, tickets are selling really fast.

“Word of the event has spread further afield and we’ve already had people booking from Birmingham, London and Brighton.”

Since the Ribble Valley Mod Weekender was launched in 2010, the festival has gone from strength to strength, and now provides one of the highlights in the autumn calendar..

Previous acts have included Secret Affair, who headlined the festival last year, The Lambrettas, DC Fontana and Essex boys Missing Andy.

Once again, and following the success of last year’s show, pubs and clubs from across the town will be hosting plenty of other exciting acts at the Rose and Crown, The Buck Inn, Key Street, The Castle and The Alehouse.

“We’ve got Burnley’s Joe Publix at the Rose and Crown on Friday, with Steve Thompson and The Incidents at the Castle Inn, so it will be a great start to the weekend,” said Steve.

The scooters will travel in convoy from East Marton, near Skipton, arriving at the Rose and Crown in the town where there will be prizes awarded for the best turned out Vespa and Lambretta plus an award for the best overall scooter.

Porter added: “The scooter parade brings Clitheroe to a standstill – it is a marvellous sight to see the cavalcade coming up the hill towards the castle.

“It is a lovely sight to see day trippers enjoying the event, too, and we always get a lot of positive feedback.”

He added: “A festival can bring so much into a town and the Mod Weekender is getting bigger every year now.

“We really appreciate the whole of Clitheroe getting involved.”

The scooter ride-in will see clubs from all over the North of England taking part.

The Ribble Valley Mod Weekender, September 25-27. Tickets from Clitheroe Grand on 01200 421599. Full details www.rvmw.moonfruit.com