MUSIC, dance, street entertainment and a colourful parade head to Cleckheaton from tomorrow for the town's 27th annual folk festival.

Organisers have arranged what they feel is a balanced programme of music, dance and street theatre, having built the festival from humble beginnings up to the current three day event.

Tomorrow night, Winter Wilson, Les Barker, Union Jill, Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies perform at the Town Hall, while the Masonic Hall plays host to David Swann, Blackwater, John Conolly, and Kimbers Men.

On Saturday there will be the traditional parade weaving through town at 11am and an afternoon of music and dance by the National Youth Folklore Troupe of England, with other performers at a variety of venues including Ruth and Sadie Price, John Conolly, The Hall Brothers, The Houghton Weavers, Bruce Baillie, Winter Wilson, Steve Turner, Union Jill, Kimbers Men, Wendy Arrowsmith, Cupola and Dougie MacLean.

And on Sunday there will be The Hall Brothers, Lady Maisery, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman, Gavin Davenport Band, and Martha Tilston and The Scientists.

There will also be singarounds, a hiring fair, meet the artists sessions, workshops, special events, poetry and pints, and music sessions.

Cleckheaton Councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem) said: "It is a brilliant and absolutely fantastic weekend for the whole town, not just those who like folk music. That is what is really good about it. It is a great day for everybody."

She added: "Escapees from the cycling are very welcome in Cleckheaton - we are not affected by any road closures."

A small venues initiative, now in its seventh year, provides an opportunity to see some of the artists in intimate settings throughout the town. A full programme will be available from The Music Room and Blend Cafe.

The traditional festival parade will take place through Cleckheaton town centre on Saturday at 11am, starting at the Fire Station and weaving its way through the town. In addition a family fun day takes place on the Sunday.

Organisers have warned that as the Tour de France Grande Depart takes place in Yorkshire on the same weekend, there is likely to be some traffic disruption and road closures that could affect those heading to the festival.