FOLK enthusiasts from across Britain will be in the North-East later this month for one of the biggest events in the region's folk calendar.

The 12th Durham Folk Party will take place over the weekend of July 27, 28 and 29.

The party is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and colourful performers.

Durham City Rugby Club will be the main indoor venue where singers, dancers and musicians will mingle and enjoy each other's talents.

The party will begin on the Friday evening with a get-together downstairs and the first of the weekend's singarounds upstairs.

The musicians' sessions begin on the Saturday, at noon, and there will be a folk party folk club that evening with guest performers.

At the same time, Trimdon Folk Band and Mike Longstaff will be performing at a ceilidh in Durham Town Hall.

On Sunday, the rugby club will stage the Northern Counties Clog Dancing Championship.

Throughout the weekend there will be displays by more than a dozen dance teams in the Market Place, on Elvet Bridge and in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre.

Prizes include the Winston Chipchase Old Copper Kettle trophy for the person who has added the most to the weekend and the engraved tankard for the worst shirt of the weekend.

Durham Folk Party 2001 will end on Sunday evening in the rugby club with the Survivors' Session, where all those who are still able to sing, sign off the weekend in song.