Legendary guitarist Wilko Johnson has pulled out of his headline slot at Maryport Blues Festival.

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.

But his bassist Norman Watt-Roy suffered a heart attack on stage on Saturday night and the renowned musician has been forced to withdraw.

Organiser Debra Park said she was saddened by the news but hoped to announce a replacement for the star by Thursday.

She said: "We are absolutely gutted, especially this close to the festival but you can't mess around with health.

"We will have a replacement that will match Wilko Johnson so please don't turn away from us."

The founding member of Dr Feelgood, who has influenced everyone from Joe Strummer, Mick Jones to Steve Albini, was due to appear alongside his band of highly-accomplished musicians.

In addition to pioneering the 1970s British R&B sound, Johnson went on to play guitar for Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

His choppy guitar style was a big part of the Dr Feelgood sound, whose 1976 breakthrough live album, Stupidity, reached number one in the Official UK Album Chart.

For the opening day, Friday July 28, 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.

Sunday 30 wraps up 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; and 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, the 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