A new mini festival promoting up and coming musicians is to be held in Bedale. Run by the organisers of the annual music event BAMfest the Mad March Weekend will be held over two days from March 20.

The aim is to make it a warm up for the three day festival which is held at the end of May and give bands and singers a chance to show what they can do.

Organiser John Knighton said: “The idea is to have a mini-festival, featuring bands who rarely play in our area, who deserve to be heard. There will plenty of time for sessions and singarounds. And, if popular, the plan is to make this an annual event.

“Because it is a BAMlive event we have a great mix of artists appearing during the weekend – Rita Payne are a fantastic Yorkshire duo who have been creating a stir on the festival scene, Alefen are a young lively folk rock band from Wakefield, and The Alligators are a great rocking R& B trio who will lift the rafters.”

As well as the music, there will be camping available from £5 per person per night.

Weekend tickets are £25. Friday concert ticket is £12 and Saturday all-day ticket is £18. There are also plans for a beer festival with Yorkshire ales and a food festival during the weekend. For information go to the BAMfest website – www.bamfest.co.uk.