SETTLE’S Victoria Hall has organised its first-ever folk weekend, hosted by local singer, songwriter, comedian and presenter Mike Harding.

The event - which will be staged this weekend - builds on the regular Sunday folk nights.

Mike said: “I’m really excited at the prospect of hosting the first Settle Gathering - it’s the first time anything like this has been done in Settle but the reaction so far has been really superb.

“We’re keeping it very relaxed and laid back. Fine weather would be a bonus but since much of the stuff takes place at the Victoria Hall or in the pubs we can manage with whatever the weather throws at us.”

And hall manager Ann Harding said: "We are looking forward to our first folk weekend and hope that musicians, locals and people from afar will enjoy this great line up. We do not have the resources to organise a full scale folk festival but we hope that this will become a regular annual feature in our calendar."

The weekend begins tomorrow at 7.30pm with a family ceilidh at Victoria Hall, featuring the William Small Orchestra. Tickets are £5 for adults and free for under 18s.

On Saturday night, the stage will be taken over by Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, named best duo in the 2014 BBC Folk Awards, while on Sunday night, Anglo-Australian duo Nancy Kerr and James Fagan will present an evening of lyrical poetic music, using a range of acoustic instruments.

Tickets for both evening concerts are £12 and can be bought on the door or reserved by ringing 01729 825718.

As well as the main events, Victoria Hall will open its doors from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday for an open mic gathering and there will be workshops and sessions in pubs and cafes in the town.