THE Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival could be crowned the best event of its kind in Europe.

The three-day festival, held in Colne over the August bank holiday weekend, has been chosen as one of four finalists in the Best Event/Festival category in the 2018 European Blues Awards.

Now it is up to music lovers all over Europe to vote for their favourite.

The Colne event is up against the Ribs en Blues Festival in the Netherlands; the Rawa Blues Festival, Poland and the Notodden Blues Festival, Norway.

Joe Cooney, chairman of the Working Blues Group on Colne Town Council said: “We’re thrilled to be nominated for the European Blues Award. To be up against these heavyweight blues events in Holland, Poland and Norway is a huge honour.

“And to be the only UK based event to be nominated in the awards is a tremendous achievement.”

The festival is a previous winner of a European Blues Award and has also taken the Best Festival title in the British Blues Awards.

This year’s event saw thousands of music lovers packing the streets of Colne to hear acts including King King, Elles Bailey and Dutch outfit My Baby at venues including Colne Muni, Pendle Hippodrome and Colne Little Theatre.

As well as some of the biggest names ion the British blues scene, the festival also gives up and coming artists the chance to perform through the Jessica Foxley Unsigned initiative.

Award-winning Burnley blues artist Lucy Zirins was the guest curator for the festival’s acoustic blues showcase.

Organisers of the festival have confirmed that the event will return in 2019 for its 30 anniversary year, once again over the August Bank Holiday, with the first artists due to be revealed before Christmas.

Voting for the European Blues Awards closes at 11am on Saturday. You can cast your vote at https://europeanbluesawards.wordpress.com

“Please do vote for the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne,” said Joe Cooney. “Every vote counts... to win this award during our 30th year would be fabulous.”