A WOODLAND paradise in the heart of Gisburn Forest will be the setting for the third Cloudspotting Festival, which starts next week.

The opening day features a headline show from Liverpool’s lab-wearing psychonauts, Clinic.

The Welsh flag will be flying high on the first night as two of the finest indie acts from the principality, Colorama and Sweet Baboo, bring their song-writing depth to proceedings.

Second stage headliner on Friday, Magic Arm, a one-man band from Manchester, will be followed on Saturday by main stager Johnnie Common, the Glaswegian rapper fresh from his stunning show at the Beat-Herder festival.

Emerging Fence Records artists Eagle Owl and Seamus Fogarty trade sets and, also on Saturday, there is the atmospheric new project from Super Furry Animals’ bassist Guto Pryce and partner Lindsay Leven.

Cloudspotting also welcomes back songstress Jesca Hoop, who will calm the audience around sunset time.

Sunday’s headliner is the mighty King Creosote, with backing from several members of The Earlies, who will bring a weight of well-crafted songs and spontaneous arrangements to the main stage.

Some of The Earlies line-up will also be appearing at Cloudspotting as members of other incarnations Tokolosh and Sara Lowes.

The Wave Pictures and folk and blues legend Michael Chapman plus local talent Richard Moss complete the picture.

On the Soundbytes stage, there is a local theme, so expect a wealth of worthy singer-songwriters and bands topped off by the jigs and reels of highly regarded traditional folk band Drop The Floor.

There will also be film screenings as well as late night DJ sets in The Attic, a beer tent, farmers’ market in the food courtyard and a whole range of activities for children.

Cloudspotting spokesman Matt Evans said: “This year we are running the festival over an extra day to make the weekend more complete because Cloudspotting is not the kind of place to be in a rush.

“Cloudspotting is a family festival, and under-16s still go free. We are extremely proud of that.”

Billed as a micro music, food and beer festival, Cloudspotting takes place at Stephen Park, from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28. Tickets from the Grand Theatre, Clitheroe, 01200 421599.

Weekend camping tickets, £70, plus a limited number of Sunday day tickets left, £32.50.

For more information visit www.cloudspotting.org.uk