THE countdown is on as a North-East live music festival gets ready to roar into action this weekend.

Hardwick Live will take over Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, this Saturday and Sunday with a host of stars set to take to the stage.

On Saturday, Ricky Wilson and the Kaiser Chiefs will lead a line-up including Vintage Trouble, Ash, Jake Shears and Lucy Spraggan.

And on Sunday, Happy Mondays will headline a bill featuring Shed Seven, Echo & the Bunnymen, Feeder, Public Image Ltd, Heather Small and Melanie C.

There will also be a host of DJs hitting the decks, entertainment for children and feasting experiences.

John Adamson, owner of Hardwick Live organiser Ramside Estates, said: “After months and months of hard work and preparation, we are just a handful of days away from what will be our biggest Hardwick Live yet.”