ONE of Bolton’s biggest and best-loved alternative music events is heading back to town for another weekend of incredible punk and oi.

There is less than week to go before the Bolton Punx Picnic returns for its sold out third year.

Fifteen of the best punk and oi bands from across the country will entertain gig goers at the fast-growing event’s new home at the Churchgate pub on June 29. An outdoor picnic gathering will also be held in Queens Park before the music starts.

Event organiser, Angelina Johnson, said: “The move to the new venue has been very well received and we’ve completely sold out of tickets.

"We’re fully booked and expecting a large crowd, the largest one yet for us.”

Headlining the Punx Picnic are Kent hardcore and street punk stalwarts The Warriors and Stoke Oi legends Section 5.

They will be joined by young Bolton band Kill The Masters, North West outfit Urban Blitzz and a plethora of outstanding acts including 4 Past Midnight, Knock Off, Born to Destruct and Blacklist.

The bands will play back-to-back 30 minute sets across two stages, showcasing veteran, new and established talent.

Organised by Ms Johnson and Martin Unsworth, of Punkboot Promotions, the Punx Picnic is reinvigorating a trend popular in the punk scene up and down the UK during the 1980s.

The event attracts music lovers from across the country and beyond, and also works to boost Bolton’s music scene and economy.

Mr Unsworth said: “Word of our event reached an international audience this year and we have attendees from Italy which, for people to travel to a small event like ours and the effort that entails, is quite astounding.

“We hope that in the coming years we have more people travelling from further afield to one of our events.

“This year the Churchgate and X-records have helped us with some ticket sales, every little bit helps, and forging relationships with local businesses is very much something we take seriously.

“We have filled local hotels and hope that other businesses such as food establishments benefit from our one day event.”

Bolton Punx Picnic will open at the Churchgate pub at 2pm with the first bands from 3pm. The picnic in Queens Park starts at 11am.