A BLUES festival which has attracted thousands to East Lancashire is cruising into its 12th year - having been saved from the brink of extinction.

The line-up for this year's Burnley National Blues Festival has been announced, with respected performers from around the globe set to appear on stage and a whole host of fringe events around town.

The festival runs from Friday, April 21 to Monday, April 24, with key concerts at Burnley Mechanics and other events throughout the town.

Headlining the main stage on the Sunday night is the eight-piece Mighty Sam McClain Band, whose Louisiana-born leader is a double Grammy nominee.

Support comes from dreadlocked Detroit guitarist Marcus Malone, 39, who was last year described as "the find of the festival" by the Evening Telegraph's reviewer.

Former Big Town Playboys frontman Mike Sanchez completes the main stage line-up that evening.

Saturday's headliners are the Blues Band, with support from brash blues mama Angela Brown And her Mighty 45s and Washington-born acoustic bluesters Michael Roach. Friday's top act The Paladins provide a throaty mixture of relaxation and intensity and are renowned for their constantly-changing stage act.

Other acts on the night include Sam Kelly And Station House, and acclaimed harmonica player Errol Linton and his Blues Vibe.

Earlier this year, the large-scale event seemed doomed after council organisers said it had become increasingly difficult to finance the festival as a national event because of rising costs and increased competition from other towns.

They planned a smaller weekend festival and wanted to spend more money on other events in the town.

But protests resulted in a steering group being set up to save the festival, and extra funding and sponsorship were secured for this year.

The steering group - comprising Burnley Mechanics, Burnley Council and various trade groups - hopes this year's festival will be a success so that the event can continue on its present scale.

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