ENTERPRISING singer songwriter Paul Thompson probably deserves an award for ambitious project of the Year. The Norfolk-based musician is releasing his third self-penned and produced album, and to mark the occasion is setting off on tour, with The Witham, Barnard Castle as a destination on June 17.

But he won't be arriving in the rock n roll vehicle you might expect, because Thompson has succeeded in gaining Arts Council of England funding to embark on a three-month tour, travelling from Norwich to the Edinburgh Fringe, via the Highlands and Islands, on a Milk Float.

Travelling at 15mph, 30 miles a day, across Britain in a specially converted electric milk float, it is no surprise to find that Paul will be the first solo musician ever to tour Britain in a milk float.

“I wanted to think of an original way to do a music tour, that was fitting to my style of music and that also incorporated sustainable technology. Performing at mainly outdoor locations, the milk float will double up as my tour bus and music performance space, with solar panels on the roof powering music equipment, and other adaptations allowing the float to charge up at Electric Vehicle charging points across the country," says Thompson.

The tour will end with a 12 day stint at The Edinburgh Fringe in a prime position in George Street.

Thompson’s music has been described as "blissed out Donovan meets John Martyn", and he uses a loop box to layer guitar, vocals and rhythm.

paulsmusic.co.uk/

A video about the tour is on youtube.com/watch?v=nthXKEGRUGg

Paul will be keeping a blog and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter: twitter.com/paultsmusic or facebook.com/paultsmusic