A FORMER pit area is gearing up for its 11th music festival.

The festival will be held at venues in and around Easington, County Durham, from Friday, October 3, to Tuesday, November 4, and will feature a variety of styles.

Among the highlights are North-East band The Hush, featuring Bob Fox and Jed Grimes, who have won acclaim for their rock and jazz re-workings of traditional songs by writers such as Tommy Armstrong and Joe Wilson.

They will perform at East Durham and Houghall Community College, Peterlee, on Saturday, October 4, at 8pm.

Another regional favourite, Prelude, will play at The Wayfarer, Front Street East, Haswell, on Saturday, October 11, at 8.30pm.

Murton Amateur Operatic Society will perform Me and My Girl at Houghall College, Peterlee, from Monday to Saturday, October 20 to 25.

The programme also features performances by Nine Below Zero, The Rye, Durham Constabulary Band and Murton Colliery Brass Band.

Easington District Council chairman Bill Gustard said: "I am delighted to welcome such an amazing array of talented musicians and actors to this year's festival."

For a programme, call 0191-527 0501, ext 2238.