THE blues return to Burnley in April as the town hosts the 13th Burnley National Blues Festival.

Promising more artists, more music and more blues, this year's event is expected to attract some of the biggest names from the blues world.

Stretching over four days -- from Good Friday on April 13 until Bank Holiday Monday, April 16 -- the event is set to follow a similar format to the one which proved so popular last year.

Major concerts will take place in the Mechanics' theatre as usual but more artists are expected to take to the stage as the sessions stretched out in both the afternoon and evening.

Kicking things off on Friday's Party Night are The Night Porters, who are described as the cream of British blues bands, mixing guitars, double bass, drums and harmonicas to create a unique sound.

Memo Gonzalez and the Bluescasters, Vancouver-based singer Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, 17-year-old Martin Trimble, the Muddy Waters-inspired Percy Strother Band and the hotly-tipped Nimmo Brothers are all lined up for the big stage over the weekend.

The Acoustic Stage, inside Oliver's Bar at the Mechanics, has been left in the capable hands of blues expert Perry Foster. The bar makes for an intimate venue, ideal for the best in acoustic blues, according to the publicity sent out this week. Before Perry takes over on the Saturday, the bar will be used as the Festival Stage, with hard-core blues on offer for free on Friday afternoon as a taste for what to expect over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Guinness Festival Fringe takes place takes place in and around the town centre at the following venues: The Sparrow Hawk Hotel, Church Street; The Talbot Hotel, Church Street; Burnley Miners Social Club, Plumb Street; the Inn on the Wharf, Manchester Road; Coach and Horses Hotel, Church Street; the White Hart, Church Street and also at Oliver's Bar.

More venues are expected to join in offering real ale with real music.

But perhaps the most intriguing offer of the whole four days is the Blues Cruisin', offering music fans the chance to listen to live blues music while travelling on the Marton Emperor narrow boat.

For more details on any of the events, call the ticket office on 01282 664400.