TRIBUTES to some of the world’s biggest bands will be storming the stage in Bolton this weekend.

Boltfest returns for its third year with a line-up of hard rock, pop rock, rock and roll and dance.

Hitting Queens Park this Bank Holiday weekend, the event is promising to be bigger than ever with most of the free 12,000 tickets already snapped up for the two day event.

Organiser Jools Taylor said: “We are really happy with the response we’ve had since the tickets went out. It is just growing from strength to strength.

“People in Bolton have really taken to it. It is a unique event to the town. the first year people tried it a really liked and have gone on and told their friends.

“There are only a few tickets left and we are urging people to get them quickly!

“The weather is also looking extremely promising so it should be a great event.”

This year includes a line-up of newcomers and favourites of the parks two stages.

Saturday’s stages will welcome Slipknowt, Mentallica, Whole Lotta DC, Megadeth UK, DIO, Faith No Man and Troops of Doom

Headliners Guns and Roses tribute Guns Or Roses will then finish things off on the main stage at 8.30pm and Pantera tribute, Pantera UK, on the Blind Tiger stage from 8.20pm.

Sunday will shake things up with a mix of Mused, Kings Ov Leo, DaftPunkx, Ozzbest, The Phonics, Led Into Zep, Stiff Bizkit, The Smiths Ltd and Korn Again.

Recently crowned best Elvis impersonator in the national King of Britain competition, Astley Bridge’s Tommy Holland is also returning to the festival to perform.

Meanwhile the main stage welcomes headliners Flew Fighters, a Foo Fighters tribute, from 8.30pm and The Cureheads tribute to The Cure on the Blind Tiger Stage from 8.20pm.

Mr Taylor added: “We brought something different this year with tributes to the likes of The Smiths, Daft Punk and Stereophonics!

“We want to make Boltfest one of Bolton’s biggest annual events.”

Gates open at 11.30am on both days, last entry is 7.30pm, with events finishing at 10pm

Tickets available from www.boltfest.com and X records, in Bridge Street, costing a booking fee of £3.50.