A RISING blues star and a touring veteran will be heading to Bury for the return of a celebration of music.

The Manchester Acoustic Blues (MABS) Festival is heading to the town for the first time as it marks its fifth year.

Joining the line-up is UK Blues Challenge finalist Elles Bailey, a Bristol singer who has just been nominated in the 37th European Blues Awards.

She will be joined by former European Blues Awards finalist and veteran Bluesman Mike Francis and special guests appearances from the likes of the North West's own Dai Thomas and Pete Ryder.

Festival Director Mike Carvalho said: "We are very excited about it being in Bury. It will be in the Derby Hall theatre, it's an exciting place to be.

"It is an acoustic event but there will be backing singers and duos and the like. There's a whole range of blues genres throughout the afternoon

"This year’s bill covers a very wide spectrum of acoustic blues music including one of the new rising stars of the UK scene Elles Bailey.

"She is promoting her album at the moment and is the next big thing – she's really, really good!"

The event, which has previously been hosted in Salford, also has hopes for a another treat in store.

Mike explains: "We could be announcing the results of the European Blues Awards.

"It's a massive thing for us and blues music, and we expect it will attract a big audience and add another dynamic to the festival."

Usually held in summer, this year's festival was postponed due to Manchester Arena bomb attack.

However, organisers and supporters were determined to bring it to the stage, with Mike getting in touch with old friend and the Met's artistic director David Agnew to talk through plans and bring it to the newly refurbished venue for the first time.

Mike added: "It has been an extremely difficult time for everybody in the region still recovering from the devastating tragedy.

"We are very grateful to the venue everyone that has enabled the 5th year of the MABS Festival to go ahead."

The show will run over the afternoon and evening of November 26 and is part of the independent Manchester Biennial Arts programme which normally runs up to the International Festival and features the very best of acoustic roots and blues music.

Advance early-bird, discounted day tickets are now available for £9 while ticket price on the door, if available, is £12. To book visit themet.biz.