POPULAR Poole music festival, Grooves on the Green, is to celebrate its 15th anniversary this year with its strongest-ever bill.

The two-day, family-friendly gathering on Ashley Cross Green features music on two stages with other attractions including a local food and drink festival, sports on the Green, alternative therapies and the popular Kidzone with lots of activities to keep the youngest groovers happy.

“Grooves is a great day out for families, music fans and even families of music fans, everyone loves it,” says festival director Michael Callaghan.

“Although it’s a real community event, people come from far and near to soak up the relaxed atmosphere, meet friends and hear some amazing music in the great outdoors – it’s a like a dress rehearsal for the big summer festivals.”

Programmed by Solid Air, the Main Stage is headlined by the fabulous Baker Brothers on Saturday.

The Dorset-based, five-piece funk collective enjoys a huge following in Japan and continental Europe but is less well known in their homeland, despite the best efforts of celebrity fans such as Craig Charles.

With seven albums to their name, the boys have opened shows for Jools Holland and the legendary Sly & the Family Stone.

The Calling Stage will be hosted by Si Genaro, fresh from his recent appearance on The Voice, which resulted in Will.i.am giving Si his email address and insisting they stay in touch.

The Calling Stage will be programmed in part by the result of a public vote in partnership with the Daily Echo and the local food beer and food festival is being supported by a host of local producers.

Grooves on the Green runs from noon until 7pm each day and early bird tickets will go on sale in May from Le Bateau, Ashley Cross.

As in previous years, £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to Dorset disability charity, Diverse Abilities Plus, which has received more than £9,000 over the last two years from its association with Grooves on the Green.