ACCRINGTON punk trio Kings of the Delmar have been asked to play the closing weekend of the prestigious Edinburgh Festival.

The band, who have been building up a following for the past 18 months, will be performing at two of the bigger venues at the world famous event which attracts thousands of visitors to Scotland.

And music lovers can get the chance to catch the band at a special warm-up gig tonight at the Bay Horse in Baxenden around 9pm.

Bassist Damian Culshaw said: “It came as a complete surprise. Our lead singer Wayne also does an acoustic set and he was asked to play a couple of shows at the festival.

“Then when the organisers heard about the band they offered us two more dates.”

The band will be playing at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on Saturday, August 28 and then following night at the C Venue.

“We don’t know who we will be on with yet but these are two of the bigger official venues so it will be a great showcase for us,” said Damian.

The band — Damian, drummer Brian Barnes and singer/guitarist Wayne Sowerbutts — have more than 25 years’ experience of playing live. Damian and Brian were formerly in Slutch and Brian is also a former bass player with the UK Subs.

“We’ve been together for about 18 months,” said Damian. “We’ve been on a number of tours as support for the likes of The Damned and the Anti-Nowhere League.

“We like to think we’re true to the original spirit of punk and only play original material.

“The ethos of the band is never to play cover versions.”

The band’s debut album We Are What We Are is available from their myspace site and is on sale at gigs. A new single is planned for September.

“At the moment we are combining our music with work but the way things are moving we may well have to start considering going full time,” said Damian.

“Edinburgh will be a great party atmosphere and we are all looking forward to it.”