THE successful Beacons Festival returns to Craven next month.

After a shaky start in 2011 when the inaugural event was called off because of heavy rain, Beacons has built up a reputation for offering an eclectic mix of performers and is one of the fastest growing festivals in the north of England.

This year’s event will be held at Heslaker Farm, Carleton, from Thursday, August 7 to Sunday, August 10 and headline acts will include New York disco/astral funk duo Darkside, London trio Daughter and Jon Hopkins with his electronica tunes.

The Fall will also make a rare festival appearance alongside Hookworms, Dixon, who was named resident advisor DJ of the year, Jools Holland favourite Melt Yourself Down, Daniel Avery, King Creosote, Eagulls, Max Graef, Money, Girl Band, Pins and Galaxians.

And there will be a special performance by British Sea Power. The group will play an exclusive live soundtrack to the award-winning film, From The Sea To The Land Beyond, which combines 100 years of British Film Institute archive footage to provide a portrait of Britain’s unique coastline.

The welcome party on the Thursday night has been expanded to include a late night silent disco.

Art and culture will again be an integral part of the festival, with an extended arts area and new outdoor stage where the entertainment will range from spoken word and yoga to films and documentaries.

Other festival highlights include The Diddy Rascals family area and an extensive selection of street food.

Ash Kollakowski, from the Beacons Festival, said: “Keeping Beacons going after the flood in 2011 has been really hard, but when Wild Beasts headlined in 2012 the stars realigned and it was totally worth it.

“Now I don’t think about booking acts just to sell tickets. With Dixon, Jon Hopkins and Daniel Avery on site over the weekend we feel we have the three best producers in the world at the moment so we are well chuffed.”

For more information and tickets, visit greetingsfrombeacons.com