PREPARATIONS are well underway for this year's Swanage Folk Festival, which is set to return to Purbeck following last year's enforced hiatus.

The festival, scheduled to take place in September, includes venues at Sandpit Field, St Mary's Church, The Swanage School, and others.

Organisers say they have rebooked practically all of the acts that were due to appear at the 2020 event, before the Covid crisis forced its cancellation.

Performers this year include Jon Boden and Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys.

There will also be more than forty dance sides, sea shanties, music and dance workshops and marquee concerts.

Festival organiser Margaret Tyrer said: “We have obviously had to watch and wait but we are as sure as we can be that the festival will go ahead in September.

"We are delighted with the music line up and very grateful that most of the 2020 acts have agreed to come this year.

“We have already heard from over 40 dance sides so the streets should be as lively as ever.

"We are all really looking forward to the festival and hope people will join us.”

Granny’s Attic, the Churchfitters and Hot Rats, featuring Feast of Fiddles virtuoso, Ian Cutler, are also in the music line up as well as numerous other acts.

Tickets from the cancelled 2020 event are valid for the 2021 festival.

Tickets are now also on sale via swanagefolkfestival.com or Eventbrite.

The Swanage Folk Festival is scheduled to take place from September 10-12.

Visit swanagefolkfestival.com or email the festival at swanagefolkfestival@gmail.com for further information.