BADLY Drawn Boy star Damon Gough is delighted to be headlining the opening night of the Prestwich Beer Festival.

But rather than taking advantage of the ales and spirits that will be on offer — the singer will be looking for the nearest kettle to brew up one of his favourite herbal teas.

Damon reveals he has recently given up the booze to live a healthier lifestyle, saying he "got bored" of his once favoured pastime.

After a break playing live since finishing his anniversary tour of Mercury Prize award-winning debut album The Hour of Bewilderbeast in July, the Breightmet-born singer is getting ready to play some of his new material for the first time.

He said: "The beer festival is the first gig I've done since the Bewilderbeast tour ended last year. Ironically, I have given up drinking so this time I won't be taking advantage of the drink on offer. But I will be looking forward to the food and other drinks on offer — or I can always bring my herbal tea, which I have developed quite a taste for.

"After pretty much a whole life of drinking, I feel that I've had enough and I want to enjoy life in a different way. Drinking was getting in the way of a lot of things in my life, so I knew that it was time to stop."

Damon will join a host of other musicians for this year's festival, dubbed BeerPrest, which will be hosted by Prestwich-based poet Tony Walsh and will take place at the Longfield Suite between February 25 and 27.

He said: "Last year's tour was brilliant. I had a full band with me and the audience was great. It all seems like another lifetime ago now — so much has happened since then. I have bought a couple of new guitars which I will be playing at the beer festival. I have an electric, acoustic and a drum machine. I'll be playing whatever takes my fancy on the night.

"I'm also looking forward to seeing some of the other acts including Songs for Walter. Singer Laurie Hulme is a good friend. It should be a really good night."

After playing at the festival, the 46-year-old hopes to soon start recording his new album, followed by a tour which he hopes will be billed by the end of the year.

He said: "I've been writing new songs for a while now, I write something every time I pick up the guitar. I'm also collaborating with other musicians and writing for certain people. I can't say who at the moment but I'm looking forward to working with some really good artists who are coming through.

"I have done quite a bit in the past — I collaborated with Unkle in the '90s and with the Scissor Sisters, although that was never released, I have also worked with songwriter Cathy Dennis. I'm always open to doing different things and now I have been round for a while people seem to want to work with me.

"I'm hoping to get a new record out this year. I have enough material I just haven't started recording yet. I hope to release the album and then go on a proper tour by the end of the year, which I'm really looking forward to."

Tickets for the VIP launch night on Thursday, February 25 will be £12 in advance or £15 on the door. For more information visit prestwichbeerfestival.co.uk.