HUNDREDS of music lovers will flock to an ancient Viking settlement in the North-East this weekend for an event dubbed the Glastonbury of the North.

County Durham’s Thimbleberry Music Festival, now in its seventh year, will bring together unsigned acts and performers from all over the country for a three-day event.

Set in Thimbleberry Hall Farm, Stanhope, organiser Andy Norman, 51, has spent months scouring internet sites and music venues in the region for exciting new talent.

“I go looking for something that is both different and good,” said Mr Norman, anticipating 1,500 camping at the farm from Friday to Sunday.

“I stand behind bands when they start playing. If the crowd stop talking to listen to them then I know they’re good and I invite them to play.”

Four stages will entertain revellers with drum and bass, jazz, reggae, indie and dance music and the Pandora’s Box tent will house circus acts and a cafe, from noon to almost midnight each day.

“At the first festival in 2002 about 50 people turned up and it has progressed since then,”

said Mr Norman.

“With big festivals, it costs you a lot of money and you will be quarter of a mile away from the band. With small festivals, the atmosphere’s great, it’s cheaper and you could probably get spat on by the band.”

“And just look at how gorgeous the countryside is. It would be rude not to share it with other people.”

The festival became controversial in 2005 when Mr Norman “mocked the law” by breaching his licence and allowing the event to carry on after 11pm. The noise attracted more than 100 complaints.

Magistrates ordered Mr Norman to complete 150 hours unpaid work and pay £150 costs in 2006 as a result.

He says, however, the community has since warmed to the event, which will cost him £30,000 this year.

“A lot of people here still have a black and white television with four channels,” he said. “It’s not the Dark Ages, but a music festival is a bit of a shock for them.

“We have seen police helicopters flying above us, but we have never had any problems with violence here. In all the times that we have held it the police have not had to come out.”

The £45 weekend tickets include camping and parking.

Tickets may be available on the gate.

For details, visit thimble berry.co.uk or call 01388-527273.

Highlights of the event

■ ZION TRAIN – Organiser Andy Norman is expecting big things from this band of reggae/dub/indie experimentalists on Saturday. They boast a packed diary of dates in the UK and Europe this summer.

■ GRINNY GRANDAD – The York dance collective count Prodigy, Mr Scruff and The Chemical Brothers among influences and will entertain the main stage crowd on Friday.

■ WOBBLY SQUADRON – This four-piece from Guildford play a saxophone and clarinet alongside synths and guitars for their Saturday performance. They liken their sound to Beck, Underworld and The Beatles.

■ CLEAR BLUE SKIES – Hailing from Northumberland, acoustic duo Derek Allan and Gareth Lawson will take over the Moorcock stage on Saturday afternoon.

■ PANDORA’S BOX – Open all weekend, the vintage marquee will house stilt-walkers, light shows and makeup/costume artists ready to transform festival-goers.