A SIXTIES music festival will be held at Bradford's Midland Hotel.

The Pennington Midland Reunion, over the weekend of July 19-20, features a line-up including the Swinging Blue Jeans, Fourmost, New Amen Corner, Cavern Club favourites The Fabs, La Bamba, Beatles on Sale. The event includes two nights dinner, bed and breakfast in the Victorian hotel.

The Midland was bought in the 1980s by John and Josie Pennington, who re-established the two magnificent ballrooms and 90 bedrooms which had been out of use for many years. As a springboard for refurbishment, John Pennington hosted concerts by The Searchers, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Dave Berry, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown, Alan Price and The Tornados the first British group to conquer America, opening the door for the 'Liverpool invasion'.

Says John: "This is deja-vu at a time when our city needs something to celebrate. Don’t under estimate that Bradfordians know how to help themselves, because we have to.

"Don't mention the 0898 Telephone Club, the legendary Sunday night singles, Madam Cyn or Bernard Manning - too many tales to tell but hope to see you there."

* For details email: john@greatestshows.co.uk