The king and queen of British folk music are backing a one-day festival coming soon to Skipton.

Musician Martin Carthy and Mercury Music prize nominee Norma Waterson will be topping the bill at the town's first-ever folk festival next month.

They say the event at Skipton's Mart Theatre should be a sell-out success.

Martin Carthy, who got an MBE for his service to folk music, thinks The Mart is "an amazing space" and added: "It's a really good venue for a folk event and we're looking forward to playing it again."

Other big names lined up from the world of folk include acclaimed acoustic and slide guitarist Martin Simpson, singer-songwriter Jez Lowe and 3 Daft Monkeys - an energetic band all the way from Cornwall.

Festival organiser Anthea Rathlin-Jones said: "We're really excited about the line-up. It's our first-ever folk festival at The Mart and it's going to be big. We're busy spreading the word and hope to bring in a massive crowd, not just from around here but fans of folk from all over."

The day itself will be split into an afternoon and an evening stage, bringing the best of both traditional and contemporary folk music, with room for 300 at each.

Anthea added: "Having the festival here is great news for local businesses as well. People will be going into the town, the shops and some of them staying overnight - it's bound to be a boost."

Tickets start from £13 and for those who want to make a weekend of it, there's camping available at the back of The Mart on Friday and Saturday night. During the day there will also be craft stalls, meet the artists sessions and workshops. And budding young musicians will get the chance to take part in free children's' workshops, going on stage later in the day to put on a special performance.

For details log on to www.themarttheatre.org.uk or to book tickets call the box office on 01756) 791411.