MORE than 20,000 people will head for Darwen over the bank holiday weekend for an event which has become one of the area's leading free festivals.

'Darwen 2003' will feature more than 40 bands playing at eight different venues around the town.

Headlining the two-day festival, which starts tomorrow, are 80s chart favourites Bad Manners, fronted by the charismatic Buster Bloodvessel.

The event, organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council and Darwen Music Projects, is now in its fourth year and this weekend's promises to be the biggest yet.

Norma Monks, assistant director of culture, leisure and sport, said: "This has become a truly regional event. The number of enquiries we have had about this year's shows there is greater interest than ever.

"Everyone has worked extremely hard to organise a wide variety of entertainment for the public."

This year, the main Benedictine Stage will be in front of the town hall, with other venues spread around the town hosting live events.

A special festival programme has been produced and is available from pubs and shops around Darwen with proceeds going toward the costs of the event.

As well as Bad Manners other acts lined up to perform are leading Zimbabwean group Hohodza, local favourites Gone Beggin' and acclaimed singer-songwriter Natasha Lee Jones.

Today there will be a special Help the Aged fun day in Darwen. Other events planned include a rare beer festival at the Black Horse and a special Petticoat Lane market on Bank Holiday Monday.