Darlington's Last Train Home Festival is set to return to the town on Saturday, September 7.

The popular live music and comedy event is celebrating its seventh year.

The festival which is known for its support of grassroots performers is a day-long, multi-venue occasion arranged by Tracks Darlington.

Five stages will be located across venues like The Forum, Darlington Hippodrome and The Hullabaloo Theatre presenting live music from local and national musicians.

There will also be stand-up sets by rising comedians via the Hilarity Bites Comedy Club.

(Image: Tracks Darlington)

This year's festival line-up boasts alt-indie headliners Avalanche Party, local musician Finn Forster, Coach Party hailing from the Isle of Wight, plus singer-songwriter Michael Gallagher.

The comedy stages will feature well-known comedians Bethany Black and Mick Ferry.

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The festival will close with an afterparty DJ set from James Watson at The Forum.

Tracks Darlington, a community-focused arts organization, curates and manages the event, with funding support from Arts Council England, Creative Darlington and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Sarah Wilson, co-founder and events manager at Tracks Darlington said: "We are so excited to be able to bring the Last Train Home Festival back to Darlington.

"Last year was our biggest festival yet and we hope to grow on that this year.

"We've got brilliant headliners such as Avalanche Party, Finn Forster, Michael Gallagher and coming all the way from the Isle Of Wight to headline our Noisy Daughters stage, Coach Party – definitely not to be missed! We've also got our Hilarity Bites stage bursting with comedy talent."

"We love working with our regional partners to make LTH such a special eclectic event," Ms Wilson continued.

"This year we have linked up with Shakk from BBC Introducing for the first time for some very special Shakk Festival Pickks showcasing some of the quality new bands he has championed on his radio show."

Rebecca Howarth, acting programming and development director at Darlington Hippodrome said: "Last Train Home Festival goes from strength to strength and everyone at the theatre is very excited that our historic Hippodrome stage will once again host a vibrant line-up of incredible independent bands and artists."

Tickets for the main festival cost £25+bf, and a special launch event on September 5, Last Train Home Festival Express, will feature intimate performances at Hopetown Darlington.

The launch will feature performances from Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand, plus Elaine Palmer and Mat Hunsley, with tickets priced at £10+bf.

Cllr Chris McEwan, cabinet member for the economy, Darlington Borough Council, offered words of praise for the festival: "I am delighted to welcome the Last Train Home festival back to Darlington venues this year.

"Events like these support our local economy and are a great way to attract visitors to our town."