A HOST of international stars are lined up for a three day music festival in Staffordshire. May Fest, formally known as the Acoustic Festival, has this year moved venue from Catton Hall in Derbyshire to Uttoxeter Racecourse.

The musical extravaganza, which will include the likes of Donovan, The Levellers, Sandi Thom and Barbara Dickson, will take place from Friday, May 21 for three days.

The organisers have lined up a variety of live entertainment including belly and morris dancers, as well as a wide mix of music stars from folk and blues to pop, rock and ska.

The family-friendly event will have four stages, 12 food halls, a large real-ale tent, 60 craft and market stalls. Revellers – who can take part in juggling schools, soccer workshops, yoga classes, morris dancing, story telling and comedy – will also be able to camp at the Wood Lane track.

Mike Stephens, a member of the festival's organising committee based in Mid-Wales, said: "This is the fifth year the festival has taken place. For the first two years we held it in Nantwich and then at Catton Hall for the next two years. We decided to move the festival to Uttoxeter Racecourse because it is a great venue and easy to get to."

Other music acts confirmed so far include Henry Priestman, Aziz, Three Daft Monkeys, Leatherat, The Hamsters, Ed Tudor Pole, Amy Wadge, The Coal Porters, Ezio, Patti Blinko and her boy, Little Johnny England, Papa George, The Outcast Band, Dirty Dylan, Dog Days of Summer, and Mike Dawes.

Mike, who has been in the music festival business for more than 20 years, said: "May Fest is not like Glastonbury. It's an acoustic and unplugged festival aimed at the older audience and also families.

"There will be lots for children to do from soccer training to all kinds of workshops."

The event is expected to attract upto 4,000 visitors. A fringe festival will also take place in and around Uttoxeter town centre. Tickets for May Fest are on sale currently (until the end of the month) at a reduced price from £60 per adult. Children under ten are allowed in for free. For more information call 0333 9000919 or visit www.acousticfestival.co.uk