THE Stanley Blues Festival will go ahead this summer despite the tragic death of its founder.

The 11th annual festival - the region's biggest free blues event - will be held on Saturday, August 2, on Kings Head Field, organisers Northern Recording have confirmed.

The festival was launched by John Kearney, a founder of the Consett-based music co-operative, who died suddenly aged 55 in December.

He guided it from a low-key event with local bands and 400 fans in 1993 to a major festival, last year showcasing top names that attracted a record 15,000 crowd from all parts of the country .

Derwentside District Council has agreed funding for the festival and Northern Recording are now working on the line-up.

Paul Green, of Northern Recording said: "What John created at Stanley was extraordinary. He created an event that celebrated the region's rich blues heritage.

"He brought world-class acts to a small town and used the opportunity to showcase many of the region's top blues bands.

"Thousands of people who never met him have enjoyed a great day out at the festival and we intend to make sure that everything he stood for continues.''

Headline acts over the years have included Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac fame, Chicken Shack, former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor and Paul Jones' Blues Band.

The one-day event brings an estimated £500,000 into the local economy, particularly pubs, shops and hotels, and provides work for local musicians and technical crew.

Derwentside Council leader Alex Watson said £30,000 was going to Northern Recording to stage the festival and the Allensford Festival, which will return on August Bank Holiday weekend, after a two-year break caused by foot-and-mouth.

"The Blues Festival is a marvellous occasion. It constantly features top acts and brings visitors into the area. It is good for small businesses and great for the area's regeneration.''

This year's line-up will be announced soon. The event will run from noon to 6pm. Admission is free and on-site parking costs £3.

Details will be available on the web site www.stanleyblues.co.uk or by ringing Northern Recording on (01207) 507310.