BANK holiday weekends are like buses - just as one is gone another is right around the corner and many will be waiting in anticipation at the prospect of another three-day break.

But what is a long weekend without activities and festivals galore to look forward to?

From music to motors, community events to a bus festival, there is something for everyone to choose from over the coming days.

1. Two days of non-stop music will begin on Sunday afternoon as the highly anticipated Darwen Live festival gets underway.

Among a large number of acts taking to the stage are nineties’ favourites Sleeper who will headline on Sunday with eighties’ pop punk princess Toyah bringing the free event to a close on Monday afternoon.

Speaking about planning the event, organiser Darren James said: “Every year it gets more and more difficult to get acts of sufficient quality with the budget we have but we really feel this year that we have got a great line-up, building on the success of previous years.

“We really think we have got something for all musical tastes ranging from pop to folk and hip hop to reggae.”

2. Alongside loads of great music, Makers of Market Square will be taking over Darwen’s market square on Saturday, offering visitors the chance to meet some of the finest makers, creators and collectors in the land.

3. A favourite for the whole family, the Great Harwood Show is back on Monday, with livestock competitions, dog agility demonstrations, fair ground rides and games for the younger ones to get involved in.

The show ground opens at 8.30am with tickets costing £10 for adults or £5 for a child.

4. Just down the road in Accrington - for the first time in history - will be the town’s bus festival.

Vintage and modern buses will be on display in the town square on Saturday from 11am to 4pm.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “This is the first bus fest Accrington has hosted and I am really looking forward to it. There will be over 15 huge buses on display in Accrington town centre from a variety of decades that people can come to see.”

5. Elsewhere, one of the North’s biggest motor shows will be coming to Pendle. The Pendle Powerfest takes place on Sunday at Nelson and Colne College and special guest Carl Fogarty will be making an appearance.