COLNE is preparing for the annual invasion of music lovers as the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival gets underway tonight.

Up to 20,000 people are expected to head to town for the award-winning festival which this year celebrates its 29th anniversary and runs over the bank holiday weekend.

This year over 130 different bands and artists will be performing on 15 official stages around the town. Organisers Colne Town Council have also lined up official festival buskers and street entertainers to keep the crowds entertained plus a pop-up DJ booth outside the town hall featuring some of the UK’s leading blues DJs and radio show presenters including Gary Grainger and Jennifer Noble.

The Muni will once again host the international stage which will feature artists such as multiple British Blues Award winners King King, Laurence Jones, Elles Bailey and Simon McBride.

Burnley-born blues artist Luzy Zirins will be the curator for the acoustic showcase at Colne Little Theatre.

At the Pendle Hippodrome, artists performing include My Baby, Mike Vernon and the Mighty Combo and Kyla Brox and new for this year, the Mini Muni will be hosting the alternative stage featuring the best in a new breed of blues music.

Official Roadhouse venues around the town will be hosting both local talent and blues bands from around the country and Colne Rigby Club will become the festival’s official campsite.

Due to the large crowds expected in Colne over the weekend there will be a series of road closures in place. Albert Road, Church Street, Market Street and New Market Street will all be closed to traffic from 9am to 2am both tomorrow and Sunday.

For tickets and more details about the festival, visit www.bluesfestival.co.uk