THE countdown to the Burnley Festival is in full swing and organisers have promised that there is something for everyone.

Musical acts who will be appearing on the main stage at the event, being held in Queen's Park, include rock band Stonefish, American singer-songwriter Melissa Zeimer and traditional piper Mick Daley.

The second stage will be dedicated to local bands, the music marquee will feature well-known local DJs, as well as offer DJ, rap and graffiti art workshops and the dance marquee will have acts including the Hindu Dance Company and Ceilidh band The Fumbling Fingers.

Sunday's event -- organised by Burnley Council, Burnley College and Mid-Pennine Arts -- aims to bring people together and encourage communities to find out more about each other.

Nick Hunt, director of Mid-Pennine Arts, said: "We are delighted to be working with the college and the council to develop this exciting event. The adverts say 'together we are stronger,' which is certainly true of the partnership that has made this festival happen."

As well as music and dancing, there will also be an arts and crafts marquee offering demonstrations, including embroidery, glass painting, cake baking and mosaics. It will also have live poetry and prose readings.

The Daneshouse Trust Marquee will contain activities including face-painting, Sari dressing and henna painting and there is a woodland festival in the park, including chainsaw sculpture.

Leading up to the main festival on the Sunday there will be the Burnley People's Fringe Festival. Events tonight and tomorrow include hip hop, funk, breaks and beats from Burnley's finest turntablists in Liz's Bar, at the Keirby Hotel, the cream of Burnley's bands at the Inn on the Wharf, Manchester Road, and local DJs in the bar at Burnley Mechanics Theatre.

The festival, officially called Reach 1 Burnley Festival, is organised by the Reaching Out and Creating Pathways project, which is funded by the learning in schools council.