MUSIC festival organisers have announced a line-up of acts and activities to keep youngsters entertained.

Hardwick Live, which will be held in the grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel at Sedgefield on August 18 and 19, will feature two days of live music and family entertainment.

A designated children’s area will host rides, workshops and live shows.

On Saturday, August 18, comedy entertainer Lee Kyle, who has appeared on CBBC and regularly works as a children's television warm-up act, will keep youngsters amused with his Gunge game show.

Sunday visitors can see award-winning Howard Read’s show Yukfest for Kids which features stand-up, interactive digital animation and sound effects. He has appeared at the Royal Variety Performance, is a regular at the Comedy Club 4 Kids at London, fronted his own show on CBBC, appeared on BBC Children’s talent show The Slammer and has written for the likes of Horrible Histories, Danger Mouse and Dennis the Menace.

Hardwick Live will this year feature music from indie favourites Kaiser Chiefs, Happy Mondays, Shed Seven, Feeder, Vintage Trouble, Ash, Heather Small and Melanie C.

There will also be DJ sets across both days, featuring the likes of Danny Rampling, Brandon Block, Graeme Park and Greg Wilson.

“Every year we try to grow the event further, and as part of that we wanted to make our children’s entertainment area bigger and better this year,” said John Adamson, owner of Ramside Estates which runs Hardwick Live.

“We are creating a nice space for children and their families to enjoy, and we are delighted to have secured Howard Read for the opening day. I’m sure he will be a huge hit with children and parents alike.”

For details and tickets visit hardwicklive.co.uk