A “BIGGER and better” live music extravaganza is set to take Bury by storm next month.

Glaston-Bury, an annual festival which has raised £60,000 for Bury Hospice since its inception six years ago, will return to the town centre on August 25, Bank Holiday Monday.

The first Glaston-Bury, held in August, 2008, at the Blind Tiger in Bolton Road, saw £1,200 donated to the hospice and the festival has grown in size ever since.

This year, more than 130 bands and artists, many of whom are based in the borough, will perform in 13 locations across the town.

And after sustaining losses last year, organiser Chris Buckley hopes this year’s Glaston-Bury will be much more successful.

He said: “People come from all over the place to see Glaston-Bury for themselves. It really is a huge draw for the town and a great platform for fantastic local acts.

“We really want to push for a massive total for Bury Hospice this year. Last year we raised £14,000, which was £2,000 down on the previous year.”

The festival is run by volunteers and every penny of the proceeds is given to the hospice in Rochdale Old Road.

Artists will perform in 101 Bar, Art Picture House, Brambles Bar, Molloy’s, Pics Bar, Pizza Pioneer, Blind Tiger, The Elizabethan Suite, The Met, The Monkey House, Two Tubs and Wylde’s.

For the first time, Glaston-Bury will include an outdoor stage in Bank Street and a possible second stage could also be set up in Gallipoli Garden outside The Fusilier Museum.

Chris has persuaded several seminal Manchester bands to play the festival — including post-punk band Crispy Ambulance, whose lead singer Alan Hempsall appeared on stage with Joy Division at Derby Hall, which is now The Met, in April, 1980.

The gig, in which Alan stood in for Ian Curtis, famously led to a riot and Chris is bringing Crispy Ambulance back to The Met for a symbolic performance.

Also playing are fellow post-punk rockers A Certain Ratio and Section 25, both famous for their association with iconic Manchester record label Factory Records.

Playing too with his band Together is Rik Brundrit, a fellow Glaston-Bury organiser, and former The Fall drummer Mike Leigh will also play with his band Kill Pretty.

Chris, who is a DJ at Blind Tiger, added: “Glaston-Bury just started from having a laugh and now it has become huge.

“It is amazing and shows how many people enjoy it.

“Every band and artist in Bury is asking to be involved this year. I want this to be an event which Bury is famous for and which pulls in music lovers from all over the world.”

Two US radio stations are broadcasting the whole event live so music-lovers from all over the world are able to join in the fun.

Tickets cost £6 on the day and include admission to all 13 venues.

A warm-up gig at the Elizabethan Suite between 3pm and 10pm on August 10 will feature Tragedy, a heavy metal Bee Gees tribute band. They will be supported by glam rock cover band Glam45, Made in Wonderland, Our Last Riot and One Last Run. Tickets are £10.

To make a donation go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/glastonburyfestival2014 and go to glaston-bury.co.uk for more information.