A MUCH-LOVED folk festival is gearing up for its return.

Bellingham All Acoustic Music Festival, also known as BAAFest, will take place at Brown Rigg Lodges on the outskirts of the village from Thursday, September 15 until Sunday, September 18.

The festival, which is now in its 12th year, is a firm favourite for folk music fans and artists from across the country.

The festival will open with a fundraising concert given by local duo and festival organisers Landermason together with 10-strong choir Dark Sky Voices.

The Friday evening will see the return of North East folk rock band Hadrian’s Union with appearances by Queen Elizabeth High School Jazz Band and comic singer-songwriter Miserable Les.

Over the weekend itself, 17 different acts will perform across three covered stages.

Headlining on Saturday night are Ranagri, a four-piece folk band who visited the festival for the first time in 2019, while The Hunch, a four-piece super group featuring dynamic frontman Mick Doonan, will close the afternoon session.

Other acts appearing over the weekend include The Celia Bryce Band, Ben Tyzack, Bella Gaffney, Bridie Jackson, Callum Gilligan, Katie Spencer, Holly Clarke and the Reivers, Ivan Campo and Slow Town Clock.

The festival concludes on the Sunday night with award-winning songstress Amelia Coburn and the new collaboration of Jon Doran and the Northern Assembly.

Alongside the concerts, there will be an open mic session and a number of workshops for guitar, singers, and ukuleles.

Other attractions include two real ale bars, food outlets, stalls, a prize draw and on-site camping.

For more information and full details of ticketing, visit www.baaafest.co.uk