A THREE-DAY festival of arts and crafts - which is set to bring Blackpool to a standstill - is on the road to success.

The Blackpool Town Centre Forum which is organising the open air event has been swamped with bookings from craftsmen and entertainers from the Fylde, Manchester, Rochdale and even as far as Sussex.

But there are only two weeks left to sign up for the festival which will be staged on Queen Street and Queen's Square, from Abingdon Street down to the prom, on the May Bank holiday.

Nigel Hanson, manager of the town centre forum, said: "Thanks to the Citizen we've had a tremendous response from crafters, potters, woodturners, potters and glass blowers all over the country.

"We're only disappointed that there's not been more response from artists in Blackpool. We know there's a lot of talent out there and the festival is an excellent opportunity for them to put their work on display."

The forum hopes the festival will become an annual event which will eventually take over all the town centre.

It also coincides with the International Dance Festival, a visit from Blackpool's twin town representatives from Bottrop, a folk art exhibition at the Grundy art gallery and the opening of the Birley Street shopping centre.

"We will soon be finalising the festival and want to hear from anyone else who wants to take part as soon as possible," added Mr Hanson.

If you're interested in taking part in the festival write to Nigel Hanson, Blackpool Town Centre Forum, 8 Market Street, Blackpool FY1 1ET.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.