THE 26th biannual Swanage Blues Festival returns in October.

From October 6-9 artists and bands from across the UK will gather at various locations across the town.

More than 40 acts will perform at pubs, campsites and hotels at one of the biggest celebrations of Blues music in the south.

As well as live music there will be drinking and eating, dancing, and a number of entertaining events running simultaneously.

Riverside Blues Band kick-starts the event at the Anchor, at 9.45pm, followed by The Jawbreakers, The RedCrow and Voodoo Sheiks.

Among the more well-known artists are Mungo Jerry (with a Ray Dorset solo), The Mustangs, and The Riotous Brothers.

The event finishes at the YHA, from 12pm, with The Baroness and The Bear, and John McClean and The Clan.

And it's not just the scheduled artists that will be able to perform. Aspiring guitarists, drummers and singers can take part in an electric jam session, open mic session and Stan's Blues Jamboree.

The event - which is run by the not-for-profit organisation Swanage Blues - is managed by Steve Darrington, who used to be a touring musician before he gave it up due to ill health.

The first festival was launched back in March 2001. It started off as a birthday party for George Crane - a local Blues fan - in a nightclub. It soon expanded into a town-wide event with several pubs and restaurants taking part to host different performers before its popularity saw it develop into a biannual event.

Tickets, in the form of wristbands, cost £10 each which covers the full four days. Wristbands are not compulsory to buy but some venues may charge individual admission.

Visit swanage-blues.org for more information.