PREPARATIONS are well underway for the Bradford Festival next month, with The Wurzels booked to headline on the first night.

Sponsored by the Wiltshire Times, the festival promises to be a great day out for the whole family with events going on all day and well into the night too.

The event, which is now in its eighth year and held in the field behind The Beehive pub, is run by Sparky Bloodworth and his wife Lynne. But this year he has had some extra help to make the festival the biggest and best yet.

Sam Nash, who is helping him out, said: "This year it's going to be running day and night over a whole weekend. It's going to be more of a family event with rides and a circus skills workshop during the day. It's also going to be a community event with lots of local people doing stuff too."

On Friday June 20, The Wurzels will be headlining with the Cleverly Brothers playing earlier in the evening.

Then on Saturday, Rolling Stones tribute act The Rollin Clones will be headlining, with local bands Carnaby Street, The Bad Detectives, Mike Eaton and the Young Leonardos playing.

On the Sunday, The Boghouse Boys will close the festival with Tom Rockcliffe and Sonny performing earlier in the evening.

Mr Bloodworth, 53, said: "Up until now it was only myself and Lynne organising it but we could only do two music evenings, so we've formed a committee to help take it to the next level and hopefully it will get bigger and better."

Usually the festival has tribute acts dominating the line up but this year they have booked many more local bands playing original music.

The daytime event is free but tickets for the evening events cost £15 in advance or £17 on the gate.

They can be purchased from Bradford on Avon Tourist Information Centre, the Wiltshire Times office in Duke Street, Trowbridge, from Sam Nash on (01225) 764516 or online from www.bradford-festival.co.uk