THERE’S a little over one week left to vote for the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in the 2011 British Blues Awards.

The event in Colne has been nominated in the British Blues Festival category and organisers, Pendle Leisure Trust, need your vote.

Organiser Alison Goode said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been nominated and what makes it more special is the fact we have been nominated by someone who enjoys the festival.

“We had no idea we had been nominated until we were contacted by the organisers, which suggests it is a fan that put our name forward.

“The festival is now in its 22nd year and it is nice to finally be recognised. We hope all those people who enjoy the festival year after year will take the time to vote for us.”

The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony at Newark Castle during Newark Blues Festival on Sunday, September 11.

There are 15 categories, including British Male and Female Vocalist, British Blues Band, British Instrumentalist and British Young Artist.

The Colne festival is up against five others in the British Blues Festival category — Blues On The Farm, Carlisle Blues Festival, Maryport Blues Festival, Newark Blues Festival and Swanage Blues Festival.

The awards, which were launched last year, are nominated and voted for by the public and blues fans.

Last year there were more than 1,600 nominations for the various categories and more than 7,000 people voted.

Alison said: “We would like everyone to get behind us and vote for the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival. Simply go to britishbluesawards.com and let’s see this fantastic event get the recognition it deserves!”

The closing date is Sunday, July 31.