THERE are just days to go before the fifth annual Clitheroe Great Days of Folk festival.

Events will be taking place around the town throughout this weekend and boast live music, comedy, poetry, workshops and dance.

The festival fun starts on Friday afternoon with the bar at St Mary Magdalene's parish hall. In the evening the music begins with a concert by the Armpit Jug Band at St Michael and St John's Social Centre in Lowergate.

Choy Lee Fut Chinese lion dancers will be the highlight of the Saturday afternoon street carnival where Castle Street will be closed between 1pm and 4pm. Other attractions include rhythms from Africa and Brazil provided by Bang On, a 10-piece female percussion group, Morris dancers, buskers, jugglers and magicians.

Folk will be on tap at the Lowergate club on Saturday afternoon with performances by duos Kate Howden and Paul Jones and Dave Tighe and Nigel Bullock.

Headliners on Saturday evening are Show of Hands, singer/songwriter Louise Martin and jazz and folk band Claret at the parish hall.

Brass band music will resound around the Grand Cinema in York Street on Sunday afternoon with concerts by the Clitheroe Town Band and Slaidburn Silver Band.

And to round off the festival on Sunday evening, the Old Rope String Band, Firebrand and the Harrison Band will perform at St Mary Magdalene's parish hall.

For more details call Clitheroe Tourist Information Centre on 01200 425566.