TALL tales, sparking clogs and the worst singer in the world are just a few of the reasons to visit Fleetwood next weekend.

Seventeen venues across the town will play host to more than 200 singers, dancers and artists for this year's Fylde Folk Festival.

Now in its 26th year, the four-day festival attracts folk fans from all over the country and this year will be no exception.

Artists appearing include top names such as along the lines of Eliza Carthy who went down a storm at last month's Cambridge Folk Festival. Local bands, including Fleetwood Mashers and Blackpool Brass, will also be performing - the list is endless.

Contests range from Lancashire dialect verse writing to clog dancing while workshops will be held throughout the weekend to encourage young performers to develop their talents.

Events will be held from September 3-6 at various indoor and outdoor venues - the Marine Hall, North Euston Hotel and Fleetwood Gym to name a few.

Tickets can be bought for individual concerts, daily or the whole weekend while children under 11 are admitted free (older children are charged at half price). For information contact Alan Bell on 872317

This year there are also three pre-festival events starting with a grand ceilidh on Monday at the Marine Hall. Old Peculiar Band and Derek Atkinson will provide the entertainment from 8pm.

Climb aboard the Jacinta trawler on September 1 for an open air concert in the marina. Guests include Red Duster and ex-Spinner Hughie Jones.

Finally the Irish Doonan Family Band, a group of talented dancers, singers and pipe players, will perform at the Marine Hall on September 3 from 8pm.

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