BOLTON is preparing to host one of the biggest musical days in its calendar.

The line-up has been announced for this spring’s B Festival, including local talent and rising stars.

Each year the event stages a day of live music across different venues in the town centre, raising thousands of pounds for charity.

And this April will no different, with more stages offering showcasing to indie, rock and acoustic music.

The town will be welcoming headliners including The Blinders, the Strawberries, Bad Pollyanna and Liberty Lies.

Blind Tiger in Nelson will host a main stage and, for the first time, an acoustic stage.

Organiser Dawn Price said: “The Blinders are tipped to be one of the vital bands of 2017, they are playing a lot of festivals this year. They are a great band with a high energy.

“Meanwhile Our Fold are playing one of their very few local gigs. They have an album out this year and are playing the sold-out Kendal Calling.

“Between Blind Tiger and Alma Inn there will be a huge mix of indie, acoustic, punk, metal, funk blues and cover bands.

“Because of the demand from visitors and bands — we had hundreds of applications from bands this year — we have expanded our stages.

“The festival has become a really popular date in the calendar. Last year, with venues at a capacity of 400 to 500 people, we sold just short of 1,000 wrist bands.”

On April 16 there will be 45 acts performing throughout the day.

Pervious performers have gone on to become big names, including Cabbage who performed in Blind Tiger last year and have been named a Sound of 2017 by the BBC Music.

Other local well-known names hitting the stage include Smithills singer and songwriter James Holt, hard rockers Faith in Glory and prog-rockers Twisted Illusion.

The music is all in aid of local charity, The Sanctuary — a self-help service that provides mental health crisis support to people experiencing anxiety, panic, depression and suicidal thoughts.

At the Alma Inn, the venue is reintroducing its outside stage following popular demand which will feature headliners alternative rock group Liberty Lies.

Inside west Yorkshire three-piece Bad Pollyanna bring their cult following to Bolton.

House booking agent Matthew Seddon adds: “In the first day alone of opening applications, we had 500 to 600 bands contact us about playing.

"We have had to have two stages because we have had so many talented bands getting in touch.

“This is probably the strongest line-up we have had for B Festival and I’m really proud of that.”

B Festival will take place on April 16. Wristbands cost £4, granting access to both venues for all bands on the day, and can be bought from Blind Tiger and Alma Inn.