THE 25th Fylde Folk Festival will be staged in the port of Fleetwood over the weekend of August 29th, 30th and 31st.

The demand for tickets is at record levels, an indication of how popular the festival has become with its unique style of presentation of folk music, song and dance in the North West of England.

To celebrate the anniversary year, two pre-festival concerts will also be held. On August Bank Holiday Monday, Lindisfarne, the super group from the North East, will be in concert at the Marine Hall.

And on August 28, singer and songwriter Ralph McTell will appear at the same venue.

Tickets are available from the Marine Hall box office on 771141; priced £7.50.

Making a welcome return to Fylde during the festival are the duo Battlefield Band, one of Scotland's finest, and many old favourites including Show of Hands.

Waterson/Carthy, Strawhead and the Wrigley Sisters, Mad Pudding from Canada also return to close major concerts on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.

The growth of interest in folk music by many young people has been the feature of festivals recently and many young artists will be appearing, including Jenny Shotliff and Fylde Youthquake, Robert Harbron and Damon Holland.

Cajun dance has become immensely popular and the cajun band Bayou Gumbo will perform at several sessions.

Many workshops will be taking place over the weekend; Guitar, Accordian, Concertina, Hurdy Gurdy, Clog and Appalachian Dance, Cajun Dance and Irish Step Dance.

With concerts, pub sessions and outdoor events staged in 17 venues and 200 artists presenting music, song and dance, the 25th Fylde Folk Festival promises to be one of the great folk events of 1997.

Booking is essential and weekend tickets are £31.50 (session tickets from £4.50).

Full details from festival director Alan Bell on 872317.

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