CELEBRATED musicians will be taking to the stage for the third Horwich Music Festival, which opens tomorrow (Friday).

Back for its third year, the festival will be held at Horwich Community Centre in Beaumont Road over three days — and this year art lovers can also get in on the act.

Musician Helen Walker with her husband Mike brought the music festival to the town after realising there was a demand for live music. Today it is supported by Horwich Town Council and organised by volunteers.

"My husband Mike and I are musicians and we were playing a gig in Horwich at which some members of the audience were talking about how they missed seeing live music and reminiscing about the original music festival — some time later we were contacted by them and asked if we would help book musicians/artists," said Helen.

A music festival with an emphasis on competition ended some years ago,.

Helen said: "In this incarnation its still in its infancy but we’re very happy with the response we had in 2016 and 2017 and hope that this year’s concerts will be met with the same enthusiasm."

She added: "I think the growing appeal of festivals may be a need for people to experience live music - it provides an organic, extra dimension that isn’t often found in recorded music.

"We try to cover as many genres as possible and also bring something that is not widely available on the local scene. This year we have our first world music booking —Hassan Erraji and Oriental Craze — a Moroccan Master Musician who with his band blends traditional folk songs with an upbeat modern sensibility. In the previous years we've covered classical, jazz, folk, blues, brass band and choirs. We also try to have at least one concert that promotes talent from the town."

Running alongside the music festival is an art exhibition.

Music festival:

Friday, May 4: 2pm to 3pm —The Dixie Beats, bringing the best of traditional jazz. Free

6pm to 8.30pm — The HMF House Band, mix of pop, alternative, folk and rockabilly, with special guests Danny Liptrott and Paddy Peters: Tickets £8

Saturday, May 5: 2pm to 3.30pm — Casper Mason, Sam Bate, Tonge with Haulgh Community Choir, concert highlighting local talent: Tickets £%

6pm to 8.30pm — Charlie Dore and Julian Littman, contemporary folk. Tickets £10.

Sunday, May 6 — 2pm to 4pm Hassan Erraji and Oriental Craze. Tickets £6

6pm to 8.30pm —Horwich RMI Brass Band. Tickets £8

A ticket to attend all concerts costs £37 and for more information visit www.horwichmusicfestival.com

Tickets are on sale from Horwich Community Centre. Ring 01204 668157.