A TOWN is preparing to host a new music festival this summer.

The first Masham Black Sheep Music Festival, in North Yorkshire, will feature a mix of folk, jazz, blues and roots music, and will run from Friday to Sunday, June 17 to 19.

Events, including concerts, pub sessions, singers, street entertainment and instrument workshops, will take place at venues throughout the town and surrounding villages.

Headline acts will include The Strawbs, Tanglefoot, the Duncan McFarlane Band, Matt Nelson, Gerry Cooper, the Jimi Savage Blues Band, Flossie Malavialle, the Hall Brothers and Flash Company.

The event was organised by Steve Fairholme, the man behind Otley Folk Festival.

He said: "This looks set to be a great weekend of music, dancing, pub sessions and lots of fun.

"The fact that is it being staged at Masham, home of the Black Sheep Brewery, will also be a crowd-puller. After all, musicians are often partial to a drop or two of good beer."

Tickets are £25 for the weekend, £15 for Saturday and £10 each for Friday and Sunday.

To book, call Helen Allison on (01765) 680102 or go to www. blacksheepbrewery.com/ musicfestival

Published: 05/04/2005