Bands invited to sign up for Purbeck Rising

This contest was launched in response to an avalanche of applications received from bands and artists hoping to play the popular festival, set for Purbeck Valley Farm, Harman's Cross, over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Festival organiser Catherine Burke explained: "We have thousands of applications from bands to perform at Purbeck Folk Festival every year.

"We think we make pretty good choices when it comes to the music but as Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is your festival as well as ours, we thought it might be a good idea to let you do some of the deciding."

Previous finalists, Bournemouth-based trio Kadia, released their debut album East of Alexandria earlier this year.

Due back at the festival as one of its main acts this summer, the band said: "Purbeck Rising offered us a chance to link our name to an established and well-loved festival, but the festival offered us much more than a name drop.

"We enjoyed genuine exposure, contact with people excited about our potential as a band and we met new friends who were eager to share musical ideas.

"The experience played a huge part in setting the band on our current path and cemented a real love of contemporary and traditional folk music."

Headliners announced for the festival so far include Chris Difford, Justine Currie, Richard Thompson, Stornoway, Hot Rize, Kathryn Tickell, Megson, Martha Tilston & the Scientists, Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin & The Moulettes.

To enter this year's Purbeck Rising artists should email a link to a YouTube video to info@purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk before July 14, with the subject Purbeck Rising. The best 10 acts will be put up for public vote between July 24-31, with the five most popular acts going thorough to the live final at the festival on Saturday, August 29, afternoon.

The Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is set for August 27-30.

Visit purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk for further information.