O RGANISERS of Leek Arts Festival are promising a feast of entertainment after announcing details of their packed programme.

A provisional list of artists has been distributed across the area.

The full timetable will be released later this month when tickets for the event will go on sale.

The line-up includes a host of musicians including folk duo Johnny Coppin and Mike Silver, well-respected folk stars John Tams and Barry Coope, Family Mahone, pictured, featuring Radio 2 DJ Mark Radcliffe, the Benyounes String Quartet and the Peak District Jazz Orchestra.

Old favourites including Fairport Convention, Climax Blues Band and the Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble have also been thrown in to the mix.

A number of local groups including Leek Choral Society, Demon, and 16th century music-style group Piva will also perform.

Festival spokesman Phil Edmeades said: "There are still some details of the programme to iron out, but we're confident that by the time that's done we'll have a line-up of more than 30 different acts from the end of April through to the last week of May.

"The programme includes folk, rock, classical, jazz and a whole host of other things like spoken word, stand-up comedy, arts and crafts, guided walks and floral art.

"There's something for everyone to enjoy, and we hope people will come along to events and have a good time."

The cost of staging the festival is expected to be in excess of £30,000, but it is hoped that the money will be recouped through ticket sales.

Sponsors include Leek Town Council, Leek Town Lands Trust and a number of businesses.

Councillor Steve Povey has provided cash through his Local Member Initiative Scheme.

When the full programme has been finalised, the information will be put on the Leek Arts Festival website at www.leekarts festival.org.

Phil added: "As we reach this late stage it's important that any groups or individuals who are planning events as part of Leek Arts Festival 2010 let me have full details of their plans including the name, date and start time of the event, the venue, the price of tickets and where tickets will be available from.

"We must have all this information by Friday, March 12, to ensure we can get it in the programme, which has to be ready to go to the printers the following week."

Anyone with event information for the programme should email it to philedmeades@aol.com or post it to him at 38 Prospect Road, Leek, ST13 5BX.