MORE than 100 musicians are expected to play at this autumn’s Swanage Blues Festival, which kicked off yesterday.

The four-day event, that attracts thousands of music lovers to the town’s pubs, restaurants and hotels, is organised by Steve Darrington.

Musician Steve, who had to stop touring due to ill health, said: “Nowadays I organise these festivals for us to enjoy and sometimes I get to play a little too.”

The October festival is one of two organised by Steve each year, after the first Swanage Blues Festival became a reality in March 2001.

There will be 70 gigs by 35 different acts in 18 indoor venues.

Acts playing this year include the Fabulous Fezheads, Pete Harris R&B Allstars, Riverside Blues Band, Saiichi Sugiyama Band, The Mustangs Voodoo Sheiks and The Riotous Brothers. Gigs take place at a range of venues across Swanage, and there will also be assorted buskers playing at the town’s railway station on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Steve said: “Every March and October thousands of music lovers come to the Swanage Blues Festival. There’s superb music, drinking, eating, dancing, fun and laughter across the town and beyond, starting yesterday evening and going on until late Sunday evening.

“Regular fans say they love the friendly atmosphere and the wide range of electric and acoustic music available in the pubs, restaurants and hotel bars.”

The festival also includes popular jam sessions, open mic events and Stan’s Blues Jamboree.

Wristbands, costing £10 and available from Swanage Tourist Information Centre, Replayed Records, Jenkins, Floribunda, Venues and other Swanage outlets, guarantee access to the gigs.

Information: swanage-blues.org