Organisers are hoping that a weeekend jazz fesival 'will liven' up Hexham town and help fundraise money for Cancer Research help it become a regular annual event.

The Hexham Jazz Committee together with Hexham Community Partnership, and supported by Hexham Town Council and Hexham Rotary with generous sponsorship from ‘Egger UK Ltd.’ are organising a 'jammed' packed weekend of Jazz at Hexham Abbey and on the Sele on 13- 15 May.

Artists include Jo Harrop, Paul Edis and Graeme Wilson, Hot Club du Nord, Dean Stockdale, James Kitchman with Bruno Heinen and the Abbie Finn Trio.

There will be food and a licensed bar available at the event and profits from the weekend will be in support of Cancer Research through association with Newcastle University.

A spokesperson said : " We hope that the event will be a great success and that the Festival can become a regular date in Hexham’s busy calendar.

"With the support of everyone at the Hexham Jazz Festival, researchers at Newcastle will be able to continue their fight on behalf of those living with cancer, working towards a day when the disease becomes a fully curable or manageable condition for everyone diagnosed.