Ely Folk Festival starts today, July 6, and runs until Sunday, July 8, with a wide range of artists heading for the city's Outdoor Centre. There'll be three marquees (plus beer tent), dance and music workshops, trade and food stalls and children's entertainment too.

Ely Folk Festival starts today, July 6, and runs until Sunday, July 8, with a wide range of artists heading for the city's Outdoor Centre. There'll be three marquees (plus beer tent), dance and music workshops, trade and food stalls and children's entertainment too.

The festival - run and staffed by volunteers - has a wide reputation as one of the friendliest around and is very popular, so make sure you can buy a ticket before you travel.

The starts at 7.30pm on Friday night with music from the duo Ezio, fast-rising outfit Tiny Tin Lady, young acoustic group Suntrap, and circuit favourite Anthony John Clarke (appearing with Elizabeth van der Waal).

On Saturday there's Scottish instrumental dance band Shooglenifty, fellow the Battlefield Band, songwriter Eddy Morton, former Radio 2 Young Folk Awards finalist Jackie Oates, Norfolk funnyman Sid Kipper, four-piece outfit Mawkin, Suntrap, guitarist Gareth Pearson, Penda's Fen, lively Cambridge band Hedgepig, and acclaimed young performer Charlie Barker. In addition there'll be Euro dance tunes from Zoot Alors.

Sunday features Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies, Alistair Russell and Chris Parkinson, Pavlov's Cat, Vin Garbutt, Radio 2 presenter Nick Barraclough and his band, Andy Wall, Nuada, Eddy Morton, Charlie Barker, Penda's Fen, Gareth Pearson and Mawkin. Camping and free parking are available on site and free buses will run from Market Street, Ely to the festival site throughout the weekend.

Telephone 01353 669985 (Friday: £18 adults/ £6 children; Saturday: day-evening £27/£9, evening £20/£6; Sunday: day-evening £27/£9, evening £20/£6. Accompanied under-10s free)

t www.elyfolk.co.uk