GEORDIE harmonica wizard Paul Lamb will headline the region's biggest free blues event next month.

Blyth-born Lamb and his band The King Snakes will be the top act at the Stanley Blues Festival in Stanley, County Durham, on Saturday, August 4.

The band's fusion of South Side Chicago blues and swing has won acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, and Lamb has been voted Britain's best harmonica player for six years running.

American legend Big Joe Turner, who will play with his band Memphis Blues Caravan, was formerly BB King's bass player and has played on many top blues records.

Also in the line-up are Scots boogie band Blues 'n'Trouble and blues rockabilly outfit The Nightporters.

The festival will be opened by soul and R 'n' B specialists The Watts 'n' Wiffin Big Band, featuring Langley Park-based keyboard player Les Watts, formerly musical director with the Blues Brothers stage show.

Century Radio talk show host Mike Elliott will compere the event, which starts at noon on the King's Head Field.

Organisers Northern Recording, the Consett-based studio, expect a crowd of about 8,000 music lovers.

Financial support comes from Derwentside District Council and Durham County Council.

John Kearney, of Northern Recording, said: "This is the strongest line-up to date. With six hours of extreme party music in store from the hottest bands on the circuit, Stanley will be bouncing.

"Paul Lamb is the first Geordie to headline since the festival started, joining a list of luminaries from Zoot Money and Paul Jones to former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor.

"Stanley has built a reputation for its friendly "down home'' atmosphere, good crack, strong drink and great music. It's a good day out for the whole family.''

For further details call Northern Recording on (01207) 507310 or log on to its website: www.northern recording.co.uk