DANCE music lovers are in for a treat this spring thanks to the return of a growing festival promising two legendary headline acts.

Last year’s sold out Remedy Dance Festival pulled in a crowd of 500 revellers and this year organisers are hoping to attract a further 250 to enjoy 12 hours of music over two stages.

Topping the bill at the festival, held at The Hammers and Pincers, near Newton Aycliffe, is returning Hacienda DJ Allister Whitehead as well as Ibiza legend Brandon Block.

Organiser Andy Lee, who is a music writer and producer, said: “This is what people have been wanting for years. People complain about there not being much going on in Newton Aycliffe but the response to this has been fantastic. This is a bona fide, legitimate festival. People are realising and they are really getting behind it.”

The festival began as a one-off evening at Planet Leisure, in Newton Aycliffe, in 2016 when joint organiser Lisa Morrison wanted to support friend Nicola Maull who had been diagnosed with a rare neurological condition.

Remedy Dance Festival made its return in 2018 to its latest venue. The expanded, one-day “mini” festival raised £3,000 towards Ms Maull as well as Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, in Middlesbrough.

Now Ms Morrison and Mr Lee hope to raise even more for this year’s chosen charities, the Brain Tumour Research charity and Action for Hearing Loss.

The pair settled on the charities as a result of a friend of Mr Lee who has recently been given the all-clear following an operation on a brain tumour.

His friend suffered hearing loss in the operation - something which Mr Lee has personally experienced.

“There are so many (charities) out there,” he added. “We were looking for suggestions and when I had a conversation with her it became obvious.”

The “boutique” festival on Saturday, May 18, will this year feature more than 20 DJs, camping, fire performers, stilt walkers, circus workshops, face-painting, festival hair and makeup and street food from the Fat Hippo.

The music will be enjoyed over two stages - one representing the best in house classic from the 90s and 2000s and the other an “underground arena” dedicated to the modern house and techno.

A mix of up-and-coming and established DJs will be gracing both stages.

Ms Morrison and Mr Lee are hoping for another sell-out having already flogged 150 early bird tickets 24 hours and a further 150 this month.

For more information about the festival and to buy tickets visit remedyfestival.wescantickets.com