MORECAMBE'S summer season is set to be the best ever with a packed programme of festivals and events.

The highlights include a soul music spectacular starring Jimmy Ruffin and Odyssey and a stunning firework display launched from a Norwegian ferry for the Festival of Light and Water.

The smaller festivals will also make a strong showing with a straight-jacket escape from a crane during the Peripatetic Promenaders and a guitarist who plays with his feet in the Amazing One Man Band Shebang.

At an arts and events meeting on Tuesday, councillors heard how the summer festivals have proved a big hit with the tourists attracting thousands to the resort.

The Summerbreeze Festival proved particularly popular last year, when Courtney Pine squeezed in a gig at Morecambe during a world tour, and soul music legends are set to steal the show this year.

New Yorkers Odyssey, famous for the hit 'Going Back To My Roots,' and Michigan's legendary Jimmy Ruffin, who sang the all-time soul classic 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted,' will headline this year's festival in July. Gwen Dickey, the original lead singer with Rose Royce, will also appear and organiser Steve Middlesbrough says negotiations are currently taking place to attract a really big 'name.'

He said: "We can't give exact details yet but we are looking to get a big name to headline the festival. We hope to confirm the details in a couple of weeks."

Norwegian Ferry, the Fitzcaraldo, will be the launch pad for a firework spectacular for the Festival of Light and Water in August.

Plans include a lantern procession leading the crowds to the Stone Jetty for the best views of the colourful performance. A week prior to the event, the Fitzcaraldo will host an onboard family production of Gullivers Travels.

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