IT'S full steam ahead for Ramsbottom's first-ever blues festival this weekend as organisers begin the countdown to the newest event in the North West's R & B calendar.

The 2004 Thwaites Beers Ramsbottom Rhythm and Blues Festival will bring a three-day feast of live acts to the town. Thousands of followers are expected to see 42 bands at five venues, with most of the entertainment being provided by musicians from the region.

The event comes alive tomorrow night at 7.30pm. Opening the festival on the main stage at Ramsbottom Civic Hall will be local group Ronnie " Razorback" Gibson and the King Bees whose CDs have been requested by radio stations in Kansas City and St Louis.

The festival is the brainchild of businessman and rhythm guitarist Kelvin Barlow, a member of the four-piece band. The King Bees have played roadhouse sessions at Colne Rhythm and Blues Festival for the last two years and Mr Barlow hit on the idea of bringing blues to his home town when he was driving back from Colne last summer. The event is being promoted by The Met, Bury's Arts Centre. Its director Ged Kelly has staged successful blues festivals including two in Bury. Thwaites are the main sponsors.

Headline acts on the main stage will be Slack Alice on Friday night, Paul Lamb and the King Snakes on Saturday and Snake Davis and Jim Diamond. The town's busy Bridge Street will be shut to traffic throughout the weekend and the festival will close at 11pm on Sunday.

Mr Barlow said Ramsbottom was the ideal venue for a festival because of the proximity of venues, the community spirit and the steam railway.