AROUND 5,000 music fans are to descend on East Lancashire this weekend for a three-day music festival.

The Beat Herder festival, which is now in its fourth year, takes place between Sawley and Gisburn, and is starting to attract a star-studded line-up.

Top of the bill is top 10 Sheffield-based chart band Reverend and the Makers, and the Utah Saints.

The 5,000 capacity event is expected to sell out before Friday, and organisers are hoping the heatwave engulfing East Lancashire continues.

Nick Chambers, who is one of a six-man Keighley-based organising team, said: “We're always hoping for good weather and it is looking good at the moment.

“We are delighted with the success the festival has gained in just four years.

“A lot of it is down to word of mouth, it has spread so quickly around the north.

“There aren't many music festivals in the north so I think that is part of its attraction and popularity.”

Mr Chambers said the festival was all about giving local talent its chance to shine.

We have musicians, crafts, entertainers, stilt walkers and all sorts performing,” he said.

“We try to support local acts and local businesses whenever we can.”

Despite the event's growing success there are no plans to move away from the current site.

“The whole idea of the festival is for it to be relatively small and intimate.

"It has a real closeness and community feel to it which is just what we were trying to achieve.”

Organisers say the Beat Herder festival evolved from the northern underground party scene and brings together artistry, musical madness and theatrical nonsense, at a low-cost eco-friendly gathering.

Tickets for the event, which begins on Friday, are £60 for adults, or £20 for concessions.

For more details visit the website below.