THE ORGANISERS of Otley Folk Festival are promising ‘another super weekend’ of music.

The 2018 event kicks off at the Black Horse Hotel at 7.30pm on Friday, September 21 with a line-up featuring Phil Snell, Gloria, Dave Vermond and The Jon Palmer Band.

Dozens of artists will then be performing at various venues around town before the festival concludes on Sunday, September 23.

Among the big names taking part this year will be Ashley Hutchings - founder member of three of England’s most admired folk-rock groups in Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and The Albion Band.

Ashley will present his Origins of Fairport Convention show at Otley Courthouse from 8.30pm on the festival’s opening night.

Other musicians set to star over the three days include Steve Tilston, John Watterson, Gaelforce, Carrie Martin, Lucy Ward, Chris Sherburn-Denny Bartley and Emily Sanders, Granny’s Attic and Katie Spencer.

A host of well-respected local artists will be playing too, including Linda Hardcastle and Alan Rose, Stuart and Paula Tindall, The Heathen Kings, Duncan McFarlane, Peter Ivatts, The Hall Brothers, Yan Tan Tether and Limezcurvy.

Posting on the festival’s website, organiser Steve Fairholme said: “Let us hope the weather stays good for us, the ingredients are there for another super Otley weekend.

“The concerts will be held at The Black Horse, the Parish Church, the Methodist Hall, the Labour Club and the Courthouse.

“And this year we can add The Woolpack - this ex-pub is now an arts centre but, with the help of (festival sponsors) Black Sheep we are turning it back into a pub for the weekend.

“The Woolpack’s small acoustic space will be added to our list of venues and will be hosting workshops and small intimate concerts.

“A whole host of fantastic Morris Sides will be entertaining us in the streets and pub sessions will, as usual pop up all over town.”

For more details on the Otley Black Sheep Folk Festival 2018, including the full programme, visit www.otleyfolkfestival.com. Details about The Woolpack-specific events, meanwhile, can be found at www.woolpackstudios.co.uk/folk-festival/ .