THE scene is set for a great R&B party as East Lancashire becomes the focal point for music fans from all over the country this weekend.

Colne will once again host the Great British R&B Festival which gets underway on Friday and will carry on for four nights and three days of top quality entertainment.

This, the 14th festival, will see some major names from across the Atlantic heading for Colne to play alongside some of the best musicians that Europe has to offer.

It is anticipated that over 60,000 people will make a beeline for the festival to enjoy the entertainment at a variety of venues around the town.

Festival organiser Gary Hood said: "All the signs are that we are in for a fantastic few days."

Once again Colne Municipal Hall will be the official home of the festival hosting both the international and acoustic stages.

Pendle Leisure Centre will be the venue for the Benedictine Super Roadhouse stage which will showcase some of the leading up-and-coming talent. Then there are the three official festival venues around Colne town centre -- the Conservative Club, the Crown and -- for the first time -- the Lord Rodney.

In addition, the whole of the centre will become a traffic free zone with cafes, bars and pubs offering entertainment throughout the Bank Holiday.

Arguably the biggest name to appearing at this year's festival are Savoy Brown led by Kim Simmonds, a legendary figure in the world of the blues, who will take to the international stage on Bank Holiday Monday.

"They are a band we have been after for years. said Gary Hood, "and we are delighted that they are coming to Colne."

The festival gets off to a cracking start on Friday with a night of blues rock. It promises to be a treat for guitar fans with Sean Costello offering some classic East Coast blues and the Anthony Gomes Band, one of the most exciting names in the blues world at the moment, headlining.

"Both Sean Costello and Anthony Gomes are right up their with the very best," said Gary Hood.

If Friday night is for lovers of blues rock, then Saturday is the day to go along and party hard.

"We have tried to make Saturday a real party atmosphere," said Gary. "We've put together some of the best British and European acts around and even if the blues isn't your particular style of music you'll enjoy what's on offer."

Among those taking part will be Big Moe and Jolly Jumper, The Mike Andersen Band, Doug Jay and headliner Sven Zetterberg with Knockout Greg and Blue Weather.

On Sunday Lazy Lester will be headlining a libe-up that includes Marcus Malone and The Jive Aces then on Bank Holiday Monday there's a whole range of entertainment on the main stage including the official face of the festival Joanne Shaw Taylor, the legendary Dana Gillespie, Nine Below Zero and Savoy Brown.

Tickets are still available from the festival hotline 0870 9093399.