THE festival season’s final fling, Head for the Hills, will be smashing is way on to the stage next month.

It will bring names like Maximo Park, Beth Orton, The Stranglers and Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor to Ramsbottom for a weekend of huge music.

The three-day event, formerly known as Ramsbottom Festival, returns for its 7th year at its traditional home of Ramsbottom Cricket Club which welcomed a record attendance of over 12,000 in 2016.

David Agnew, artistic director at The Met in Bury, said: "As September arrives we are working on the finer details of the packed weekend.

"Response to the festival lineup has been amazing this year and we are looking forward to what promises to be the best year yet for the festival."

Running from September 15 to 17, Head for the Hills plans to firmly live up to its established reputation for exciting new music, strong headliners and a creative arts programme, all situated in the family friendly environment.

Newcastle indie rock quartet Maximo Park will be the festival’s opening Friday night headliner.

The band is currently touring the UK and Europe following the release of its sixth studio album Risk to Exist, described by Clash as "adding a politicised edge to their trademark angular and heartfelt pop music".

Also on the Friday line up will be local funk infused pop and indie band, the Larkins, American desert music trio 3hattrio and Mancunian indie-pop-four-piece Corella and Edinburgh's tropical-pop group Indigo Velvet.

Manchester based contemporary label, Republic Music Management takes over T’other Stage, bringing a selection of North-West bands including Saytr Play, False Advertising, New York Tourists, and Stillia – who have recently released their official video for the single Let Me In starring comedian Johnny Vegas.

The Manchester-based record label Scruff of the Neck will take over the big-top tent on Friday and Saturday with the Smaller Rooms stage.

Artists set to perform over the weekend are Plastic House, Clay, Skies, ist ist, Corell and Giant Rocks.

After returning in 2016 with the highly acclaimed Kidsticks, Beth Orton – known for her collaborations with electronic artists including the Chemical Brothers – will headline Saturday night.

She will be joined by Dutch Uncles and legendary Ska vocalist Neville Staple with the Neville Staple Band.

Also on the line-up will be Ailbhe Reddy, the Dantevilles, Glass Caves and Beans on Toast.

Salford’s Blueprint Studios has invited Sky Arts Guitar Star 2016 finalist Becky Langan, rock band Yarbo and alt rock quintet Heavy On The Magic to perform on the T’other Stage.

On Sunday, legendary British new wave punk band The Stranglers will arrive in Ramsbottom off the back of a major UK and Australian tour.

With a career spanning four decades, 23 UK top 40 hits and 17 UK top 40 albums, taking in new wave, art rock, gothic rock and even pop, The Stranglers will close the festival in style.

Alexis Taylor, co-founder of Grammy-nominated pop group Hot Chip, musician, DJ and songwriter will also perform on the third day.

Singer-songwriter Tom Hickox is on the line up alongside rising British folk star Will Varley, indie-folk Skinny Lister, three-piece Cassia and slide guitarist Martin Harley.

On the By The River stage is grunge-indie band Hawk and singer and multi-instrumentalist Fell.

Pennine Pop and Take me to Church will also be hosting family raves on Saturday and Sunday, while there will be a variety of daytime family arts, food stalls and beer tents.

For more information visit headforthehills.org.uk