TRADE Union favourite Billy Bragg has been confirmed for this year’s Tolpuddle Festival.

Bragg, a long-time supporter of the Purbeck event, will perform on stage on the Sunday.

Meanwhile, veteran reggae outfit Talisman and ska band The Skints headline on Friday and Saturday nights.

Speakers confirmed for Sunday – the day of the main parade – include new TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady.

The six Tolpuddle Martyrs, widely acknowledged as the fathers of the modern trade union movement, will be portrayed in a play premiered at this year’s event.

This show, called We Will Be Free, is to be produced by Townsend Productions and takes place on the Saturday night of the festival. A history school will also take place on site throughout the event.

Festival organiser Nigel Costley said: “The weekend’s programme is more varied than ever before, with some great music, poetry, drama and, of course, the famous Tolpuddle debates.

“We have six debates this year, with themes including the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, welfare, fairness at work, faith in action, education and austerity.

“More and more trade union members are becoming active in their unions and are fighting back against policies that have seen their wages fall while the cost of living rises.

“Tolpuddle has become a key date in the trade union calendar as activists and others recharge their batteries for the battles ahead. Unions, politics, music... what’s not to like?”

Billy Bragg’s new album, Tooth and Nail, is currently riding high in the UK album charts.

The Tolpuddle Festival runs from Friday, July 19, until July 21. Admission on Sunday is free, but visitors have to pay for weekend passes and camping.