IRISH fiddle legends Cathal Hayden and Frankie Gavin are getting ready to perform at what is billed as one of the finest line-ups of fiddle players ever to be assembled in the UK.

The three-day Folkworks Fiddles on Fire Festival kicks off at The Sage Gateshead music centre on Saturday.

The festival features a host of styles of folk and traditional music from Hungary to India, Scotland to Sweden, and Africa to the US.

The line-up includes: Fiddlers 4 - Michael Doucet, Darol Anger, Bruce Molsky with Rushad Eggleston on their first UK tour; Aly Bain with Northern Sinfonia; Eliza Carthy; Catriona Macdonald; Beta Salamon and JPP.

Cathal Hayden said: "I'm really looking forward to playing in such a great line-up."

Frankie Gavin is an exponent of traditional Irish fiddle playing.

His music has its roots in Galway, Clare, Sligo and Leitrim.

To book tickets or to find out more about the festival, contact The Sage Gateshead on 0191-443 4661 or visit www.the sagegateshead.org