COLNE'S population will be doubled for three days next month when 25,000 people arrive for The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival.

More than 650 artists, including some legendary names, will perform at the Municipal Hall and other venues around Colne over the next bank holiday, August 22-25.

The town warmed up for big event this week with the launch of a glossy programme at the Municipal Hall.

Pendle's entertainments chief, Gary Hood, said: "The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival is one of the largest in the UK.

"The official programme is lively and colourful, just like the festival itself, and anyone who has seen an advance copy has given it rave reviews."

Once a year Colne becomes Blues City when people from all over the world fill the area's hotels or sleep under canvas in the festival camp sites. The pilgrims transform the bonny town's atmosphere as they congregate at the muni and several smaller venues around it, including Jim's Cafe, the leisure centre and the Crown Hotel. They also boost the economy by spending thousands of pounds on food and drink.

Headlining this year's blues festival are Luther Allison, Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues, and King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys. There's a stage specially for British acts, an acoustic stage, a street festival and a CAMRA real-ale festival.

Organisers say the event looks like being one of the best ever.

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