THOUSANDS of people are expected to attend a charity music festival in north Durham next month.

The third annual Consett Festival is being held over the second May bank holiday weekend, from May 23-25, at the new Consett AFC ground at the top of Delves Lane for the first time.

It was launched in 2013 at Consett Rugby Club, which is being re-turfed that weekend, and this year it includes a fairground rides as well as live music and children’s activities.

Organiser Brad Wilkinson, a local musician and father-of-two, said: “I hope it is something that people are looking forward to. It is the chance for people to get together and enjoy themselves.

“It is a real community thing and it is not about making money. It is about giving people the chance to meet up and for the kids to be entertained without having to travel far.”

Headliners include The Who tribute band The Whodlums and The Sleeze Sisters on the Saturday with The Last Fakers and the Dust Town Dogs topping the bill on the Sunday.

Other artists include Slow Moving Targets Dixon Did It, Thinman, Soul Street, Motion Tourist and Toxic.

It runs from 11am to 10pm and there will be hot food and drink served all day as well as a real ale bar.

Children's activities include a bouncy castle, slides, climbing wall, zorb balls, entertainers and crafts workshops.

Money raised from the event will be shared with the Consett and District Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Lee Robson Patient Care Grant scheme, part of Bright Red, a North-East leukaemia charity.

The legion’s branch chairman, George McKay said: “We cannot thank the organisers of the Consett festival enough for choosing us as one of their charities.

“With the drawdown of Iraq and Afghanistan and all the campaigns prior to them the veterans and their families need the support of the RBL more than ever.”

The festival is being supported by Consett YMCA. Its chief executive Billy Robson is the father of Lee, who was an ambassador for Bright Red before he died of leukaemia aged 35 in summer 2013.

Mr Robson said: “It is a fantastic thing for Consett, so well done to Brad and the team.”

Tickets cost £10 for the weekend, £6 for 13 to 17 year olds, or £7 and £4 per day. Children go free and there is no charge on the Monday.

To book visit www.consettfestival.co.uk email info@consettfestival.co.uk or call 07508 914114.