COMEDIAN and novelist Mark Watson is set to head the comedy line-up at a family-oriented music, science and arts festival.

The Edinburgh Festival Award Winner, known for his appearances on television shows such as Mock The Week, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You and Would I Lie to You?, will perform at the Deer Shed Festival, being held at Baldersby Park, near Thirsk, from July 22 to 24.

Other comedians appearing at the festival include Live At The Apollo performer Justin Moorhouse, former North-East college lecturer Tony Jameson, musical comedian Rob Deering, Mrs Barbara Nice and Tiernan Douieb.

Over the last seven years, attendances at the three-day festival have grown to 10,000, with 46 per cent of festival-goers aged 15 and under.

The music line-up at the event will include Richard Hawley, Everything Everything, Beth Orton, Anna Calvi, Steve Mason and Rae Morris.

For details, visit deershedfestival.com