WIMBORNE’S annual folk festival will return this summer, a year after it was successfully relaunched.

And the line-up for the 2014 event, which will take place on June 13, 14 and 15, has been announced, with big names from the world of folk topping the bill.

Among the acts performing at the Allendale Centre during the evenings are Little Johnny England, George Papavgeris, the Jigantics and Catherine Howe.

The venue will also see the return of the festival’s popular ceilidh, led by the Simon Care Trio, and the Gavin Davenport Band will bring the event to a close.

As well as the evening performancess, Fiveways, Sunray and Wimborne folk clubs will host daytime sessions, while influential online form Folk 21 will present a showcase of up-coming talent from the UK’s thriving folk scene on Saturday afternoon at the Allendale Centre. Dance groups from all over the country will also perform in the town’s streets, and there will be a range of dance, music and craft workshops for all ages.

Last year’s festival was the first to be planned by the new committee, formed after the retirement of the former organisers in 2012.

Mike Carhart-Harris, chair of the group, said: “Last year, the Wimborne community came together to ensure our annual folk festival found a new lease of life. “We now want to establish the event with solid foundations so that it will continue for many years to come. The grant funding we receive from councils is set to decline, so we are looking for sponsors who can support us and, in return, reach up to 35,000 people over the weekend.”

Weekend and concert tickets for the festival as well as tickets for the two fundraisers are on sale now from the Allendale Centre, Wimborne Tourist Information Centre, Square Records and online at wimbornefolk.co.uk