Last updated at 13:02, Friday, 08 March 2013

A trawler race, fairground and a musical line-up which includes local artists and top rockers are set to guarantee a successful Maryport Harbour Festival this spring.

HARBOUR HEADLINERS: Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash will take centre stage at Maryport Harbour Festival, which runs from May 24 to 26

Organisers the Solway Trust Ltd have announced the full musical line-up for the event which will take place on the bank holiday weekend of May 24 to 26.

It includes two 1970s rock names in Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash and Mostly Autumn, who won the title of best band at the British Classic Rock awards recently.

Dean Marsh, spokesman for the not-for-profit Solway Trust, says the harbourside festival is being arranged by local volunteers for the benefit of Maryport people and not for financial gain.

He says: “It is hard work but we are getting immense satisfaction from knowing that we can grow this event for years to come.

“This is the main reason we have striven to keep the cost to the public as low as we can.

“The festival site is free to visit and, at £25 for three days of fantastic music, I think our marquee is definitely one of the most value-for-money venues around.”

Mostly Autumn will headline on Friday, May 24, supported by local favourites the Bullfrogs and Collision.

Saturday will include Maryport’s annual trawler race as well as music.

Festival-goers will be treated to 1950s rock and roll with The 45s.

Irish folk band the Keltic Kats will travel for an exclusive UK date.

The Deluxe will play a blues set, and Scottish-based Finding Albert will add a rock and electronica edge.

Local favourites AWOL will provide high-energy rock and the evening will culminate with Blondie tribute act Blondied.

The marquee on Sunday will include a tantalising mix of blues, rock and folk being performed by the local talent of 13 Stars, Sarah & the Stormchasers, Secure Unit and Brighton’s Stark.

Evening performers will include The Duncan McFarlane Band and Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six.

Wrapping things up on Sunday night will be Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, whose arsenal of guitar-driven songs, including Blowin’ Free and Throw Down the Sword, are still part of their live act.

Requests for wristbands are already coming in.

For more information on the festival, visit www.mary portharbourfestival.com

First published at 12:25, Friday, 08 March 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk