Maryport Blues Festival organisers have announced the act who will replace legendary guitarist Wilko Johnson at next week's event.

The headliner was forced to pull out of his slot this week after bassist Norman Watt-Roy suffered a heart attack on stage on Saturday.

Organisers have lined up the Todd Sharpville Band, featuring blues singer Earl Thomas, to take up the slot.

Johnson was set to be the stand-out name on the bill, headlining the main day's programme for the three-day event, now in its 19th year.

Organiser Debra Park said: "Todd was a headliner a few years ago and had gone down well. He has always helped the festival out whenever he could.

"They said they don't get hospitality anywhere else in the country like they do in Maryport.

"He was willing to travel up from London and Earl Thomas was happy to come over from Gateshead.

"They wanted to keep the blues going."

Because Todd and his band are already scheduled to play a gig on Saturday, July 29, they will start their set in Maryport slightly later than Johnson was due to perform, with The Stumble booked to fill the gap.

The festival begins on Friday, July 28, when blues veteran Andy Fairweather Low heads up the main stage line-up, with the acclaimed Connie Lush Band, teenage superstar Aaron Keylock, and Bad Moon also set to appear.

There are six acts set to appear on the Saturday main stage programme, with Secure Unit kicking things off, and the Kyla Brox Duo also appearing in the early afternoon.

The Sunday wraps up the event with another five live acts performing at the harbour-side stage - Howlin’ Mat, The Jar Family, and Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes precede an appearance by German blues favourite Henrik Freischlader. It is left to virtuoso guitarist Matt Schofield and his band to round out the festival with an evening headline show.

There is also the smaller outside stage, which features a mix of Cumbrian acts and touring bands. Friday's schedule takes in sets from Quireboys, Illumenium, Broken English, and Soul Junction. Saturday features the Brian Rawson Band, Pot Luck, and Thirteen Stars. Sunday welcomes Red Spider, AWOL, Mersey Delta Blues Band, and Novello Shores.

The blues trail has been a welcome addition to the festival, with the Navy Club, Sailor's Return, Golden Lion, Phoenix Tap, Annabel's Cafe, Labour Club, Butchers Arms, the Thomas Henry, Netherhall Old Boys, Her Citi, Maryport Rugby League Club and Netherhall Camp Site all staging live music throughout the weekend.

Bands set to feature on the trail include Andy Twyman, David Bass & the Revolving Door Band, Chasin' The Train, Deep Blue Sea, Brian Rawson, Crosscut Saw, The Misfitz, Snakewater, W3 Detour, Like Doherty Band, Dean Newton, Born Healer, Hexmen, Paul Rose Band, Dom Pipkin, MT Arms, Davey Crockett's Hat, Troy Redfern, Tom Killner Band, and Stoney Broke.

Tickets for the festival, including wristbands for the trail, are available from www.maryportbluesfestival.com