AS Burnley prepares for its 15th National Blues Festival, the signs are that this year's event is to be one of the biggest and best yet.

This year's festival may only be running over three days, but the quality of acts coming to East Lancashire is amazing.

The organisers have pulled off a major coup in getting the legendary Bobby Parker to headline the Sunday night show, his first ever appearance at a British Blues Festival - giving British fans a rare opportunity to see a true master at work.

For the first time, the Burnley Blues Festival has teamed up with the world famous Chicago Blues Festival to bring together a series of legendary names from the Delmark Record label who will all perform on the same stage.

The Chicago Blues Review will be held on Saturday, April 19 and feature Willie Kent, Eddie Clearwater and Bonnie Lee. The review format will give a packed Burnley Mechanics the opportunity to experience some of the biggest names in Blues playing together.

Another first for this year's festival is the staging of a major concert at Padiham Town Hall.

On festival Sunday - April 20 - British R&B legends Dr Feelgood will be headlining supported by festival favourites Route 66.

Another innovation for 2003 is the introduction of the Benedictine Late Night Club which will allow the party to continue long into the night featuring a series of 'good time' bands.

The ever-popular Blues Boat set off on a musical journey on both the Saturday and Sunday with live music on board. Providing the entertainment afloat on Saturday are The Swampnobs, who mix Cajun and Bluegrass with more traditional Blues. On Sunday, Acoustic Blue offer a change of pace.

Then there's the festival fringe - as much as part of the Burnley event as the main stage. There are six official fringe venues, all offering packed programmes featuring some of the best Blues around. On Saturday, April 19, Burnley town centre will be packed with music lovers enjoying a range of activities and fun events, including a live performance.

The festival gets underway on Friday, April 18 when guitar virtuoso Eric Sardinas headlines.

Sardinas stunned crowds at last year's Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne with his showmanship and amazing ability and is sure to go down a storm in Burnley.

Also lined up for the Friday night are one of the leading young British Blues talents Danny Bryant and Rev Doc and the Congregation.

Festival Saturday is the day when Chicago takes over East Lancashire, led by Delta bluesman Willie Kent. He will be joined by guitarist extraordinaire Eddie Clearwater and Bonnie Lee who for over 50 years has brought Blues and jazz together.

Also on Saturday's bill are The Yellow and Blues Band, one of the youngest bands on the Blues scene with an average age of just 11-years-old.

The festival culminates in The Great American Festival of the Blues II featuring Bobby Parker, Deitra Farr and Louisiana Red along with Otis Grand and the Big Blues Band.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph will be running regular updates as the festival approaches.

A festival programme will be available soon and tickets for the event either for individual days or for the whole festival are available from the box office at Burnley Mechanics, tel: 01282 664400.