EXPECT Morris dancers, local musicians and an array of delicious food stalls at a brand-new folk festival in Malmesbury this weekend. 

Malmesbury Folk & Roots Festival has been organised by folk music lover Catherine Burke who wanted to share her love of the genre with the town.

She helps runs the annual Purbeck Valley Folk Festival and decided to set up a similar event in her hometown.

Rock legend and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has recently appeared in a video backing the festival and encouraging people to come along.

It will take place between 2pm and 10.30pm in the Cloister Gardens behind Malmesbury Abbey on Saturday, September 23.

This brand-new event has been timed to take place on the same day as European Folk Day.

The town's long stay carpark (SN16 9JT) is only a few minutes walk from the Cloister Gardens and there is also further parking in the town square (SN16 9BZ).

Acoustic band 3 Daft Monkeys, English folk singer-songwriter Martha Tilston and musical duo The Carrivick Sisters will be gracing the stage with their relaxing and soulful tunes.

A crowd of 500 plus are also excited to see Fly Yeti Fly, Wiltshire-based duo Lorna Somerville and Darren Fisher, who blend vocal harmonies with guitar arrangements, a mandolin and a harmonica.

The pair are currently living on a canal boat on the Kennet & Avon and their music is heavily influenced by life on the water.

During the day groups of Morris dancers will be also performing in the town, and there will be an array of food and drink stalls at the festival itself.

Malmesbury mayor Cllr Gavin Grant has urged people to get their tickets soon before they run out.

He said: “We have such a thriving music and arts scene in Malmesbury that we were confident people would want to come along, and this has proved to be the case. 

“Ticket sales are going well, and we hope the event will be a sell-out. 

"It’s going to be a fantastic day, and we hope everyone enjoys themselves. 

"A big thank you to the small team of volunteers who have pulled out all the stops to make this happen.”

All proceeds from the event will go towards Cllr Gavin Grant's three mayoral charities HEALS of Malmesbury, Malmesbury Animal Sanctuary and Malmesbury River Valleys Trust. 

Adults tickets cost £25 are available from tinyurl.com/4dxcan33 and under 13s can go free but must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets can also be bought from Malmesbury Tourist Information Centre and High Street shop Renew.

For more information go to www.malmesburyfolkroots.org