PREPARATIONS are under way for what is thought will be the biggest gathering of bands ever seen in the county.

Organisers have announced that the Thornborough Festival will be larger than ever in its third year, with 70 groups to appear on four stages.

This year's event will be held at Lime Tree Farm, Grewelthorpe, between Masham and Ripon, from July 13 to 15, and tickets are on sale at outlets in the region.

The festival grew out of a massive public protest against plans to extract sand and gravel from an area close to the 5,000-year-old Thornborough henges, between Bedale and Ripon, and was expanded to three days last year because of demand from musicians.

The organising body, Henge Warriors, is a club for musicians and music lovers who organise performances and festivals in support of campaigns aimed at saving historic sites such as the henges.

Organiser Matty Jacobs said: "The 2007 festival has a pirate theme, as well as being the largest gathering of bands ever seen in North Yorkshire.

"Our main objective is to create a showcase for local bands in an environment that is fun for all involved."

Local bands include Paul Middleton Angst Band, Waking the Witch, Kid Ego, DelGenis, The Alice Syndrome, The Plug, Tigerbomb, Bo Diddley Squat, Dnile, The Folk Theatre, Partisans, Fran Rogers, Kung Fu Rabbit and The Conspirators.

There will also be some bands from outside the area, including headliners Inner City Unit, The Sewer Suckers and The Mosaics.

The full line-up can be viewed on www. thornborough.org

Tickets can be bought onine and are also available from Rock Steady Music, Milans Coffee House and Hobgoblin, all in Harrogate, and Ripon City Music. They will be on sale soon in Northallerton.

The pirate theme will extend to the main bar, which will be a galleon, and bands of pirate street performers will roam the festival.

There will also be a drama workshop with a pirate theme suitable for younger visitors.