Legendary broadcaster Andy Kershaw will open this year’s Cockermouth Live!

Andy will be doing the honours at the Kirkgate Centre on Friday, June 30.

Festival chairman Bob Pritchard said: "It’s a packed programme of events so we’re very excited.

"The Adventures of Andy Kershaw will tell of his travels (97 of the world’s 194 countries), his eclectic choice of music (his LP and CD collection weighs seven tons), his years as a Radio 1 DJ, his eyewitness account of the Rwandan genocide, his years as Billy Bragg’s driver, roadie and tour manager, and much more."

Saturday’s headline gig sees the return of the ever-popular Snake Davis and his band in a programme of Classic Sax Solos. Snake’s also giving a talk/demonstration in the afternoon.

There will be an extended programme of free music and entertainment on Saturday.

Jennings Cooperage and the Kingfisher will be hosting rock and pop bands; choirs and large ensembles will perform in the United Reformed Church. There will be jazz at Shill’s, and pop-up live music venues in Wordsworth House and town pubs and cafes.

For children aged three to seven, there’s a performance of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories and a chance to have a story-telling picnic with The Gruffalo.

There will also be ukuele lessons, a circus skills workshop, Scottish country dancing and a folk jam session.

The weekend concludes in Christ Church with the traditional Sunday afternoon concert by the 50-strong Papcastle Community Orchestra under the direction of Dr Philip Wood.

On Friday, June 30, Peter Macqueen will give two performances of his play Professor of Adventure, about the Keswick hermit and eccentric Millican Dalton, in the dining room at Wordsworth House.

The town's civic trust will be leading four tours of Cockermouth Castle. These are free but must be booked in advance.

“We’re really excited about this year’s programme, said Bob.

"And with the roadworks finally over it’s a great opportunity to showcase the best the town has to offer."

He is keen to recruit more stewards.

For more information on tickets or volunteering go to www.cockermouthfestival.org