FOLK superstars The Hank Wangford Band will headline this year's tenth Otley Folk Festival.

Other top names set to appear are The George Formby Society, The Albion Band and Show of Hands.

Organisers of September's three day festival are already selling tickets for the event - now a major date on the folk circuit.

But although plans are well advanced, organisers have been left with a major headache - where to put people up.

Derek Haller, one of the three organisers behind the event, said: "Otley is not best served for bed and breakfast accommodation and we would like to hear from anyone with a spare bedroom - for both artistes and for punters.

"In the past, we've had artistes sleeping on people's floors, but providing they are fed and watered, they don't seem to mind."

Last year's event was hit by the petrol shortage but still managed to attract at least 2,000 people into the town.

"It did affect us slightly, I noticed there was an absence of Geordie and Teesside accents, but we still managed to run a

festival," said Mr Haller.

And this year's tenth anniversary event has already seen more tickets being sold than the same time last year.

Mr Haller added: "We're getting artistes ringing us up trying to get in."

He said the event was liked because of its policy of only selling 70 per cent of tickets before the night - leaving some on the door, and also for having a good reputation for making sure performers were paid.

Due to take place from September 21 to September 23, entertainment will take place throughout the day and night.

Bands will play at Otley Civic Centre, Wesley Hall and Prince Henry's Grammar School, and in many of the town's pubs.

And there will be workshops, craft markets and children's events going on during the day.

Mr Haller said: "This being our tenth anniversary we are trying to put on one or two special things. We've got the people who appeared at our first festival and have also got artistes like The Hank Wangford Band."

Other acts are Bayou Gumbo, Flook and Fos Bros; Kate Ridley, Bruce Gomersall and Malcolm Devereux.

l Anyone willing to provide a bed for a paying guest can telephone Derek Haller on (01943) 464858.