FOLK music fans and artists are being invited to attend a three day festival in Alcester.

For the first time ever the annual Alcester Winter Folk Festival, which is billed as the "best singers' festival around" will be taking place at the Holly Bush, in Henley Street.

The winter festivity, best known for its small and friendly nature, is returning to the town on Friday, February 19 to Sunday, February 21 with range of acts from across the country set to perform.

Well-known and popular folk artist Paul Downes, who has three highly acclaimed solo albums, will be entertaining crowds.

During the event, guests can sing along with the concerts, meet the artists and enjoy traditional storytelling.

Concerts throughout the weekend, which are all acoustic, will take place in Alcester Town Hall.

Marje Stanley, who organisers both the summer and winter Alcester Folk Festivals, said: "I’m really looking forward to it, this is the first festival of the year. The winter edition is smaller and it’s meant especially for people who are singers. We’ve got people coming from Wales who have never been to Alcester before, we’ve have people coming from all over the place.

"We are expecting between 150 to about 200 people."

Tickets for the full weekend are £35 and this includes hard standing for caravans and campervans.

Visitors are invited to use St Benedict’s Catholic High School car park, in Kinwarton Road, for hard standing during the festival.

Caravan and campervans can gain access from 3pm on Friday but will need to vacate the site by Sunday at 9pm.

There are no toilet or disposal facilities.

To book send a cheque made payable to ‘Alcester Folk Festival’ to 89 Salford Close, Redditch B98 7UL with a stamped addressed envelope or an email address to receive confirmation.

For more information call Marje Stanley on 07788 536605 or visit alcesterfolkfestival.org.uk.

Money raised during the festival goes towards financing its summer edition.