AS a torrent of new folk CDs is about to flood the market, news reaches us that the BBC Folk Awards will definitely be going ahead in February next year.

Are these two factors connected, people are asking? If so, it looks like it will be an all-girl contest this time around, with new releases from Kate Rusby, Chris While, Rachel Unthank, Cara Dillon, Linda Thompson, local lass Katie Docherty and Scots linnet Sylvia Barnes all lining up for battle.

It'll be posh frocks at 20 paces, and having heard a track of two from most of these albums, it will be a close run thing.

They're all available from the ladies' respective websites, and from Roots 2 Music on Newcastle's Westgate Road, along with a huge selection of all this year's releases.

Live music this week starts tonight with Scottish diva Gordeanna McCulloch at Blaydon's Tynefolk, and Irish troubadour Colum Sands at Darlington Arts Centre.

Colum is also at Saltburn Spa with Realtime tomorrow, when another great Irish export, Heidi Talbot is at Dipton's Cap a Pie, and six-piece instrumental band Steam Radio are at Reeth Memorial Hall. There's also a ceilidh dance at the Fellowship Hall in Yarm. Saturday brings Allan Taylor to Washington's Davy Lamp, and Mick Sheehan to Netherton Folk Club.

Debonair picker Eddie Walker is at Guisborough Rugby Club on Sunday, with American duo Pint and Dale at Westoe Sports Club that same night. That great local band The Raffleites are at Stockton's Sun Inn on Monday, while Tuesday's choice is between Bram Taylor at Cramlington's Comrades Club, and American songwriter Guy Clark at Gateshead's Sage. There's more Transatlantic Sessions on BBC 4 tomorrow, and non-stop goodies at www. britfolkradio. com all day and all of the night.