BANBURY'S 21st annual Blues Festival on Saturday, March 8, will feature, for the first time, an acoustic stage alongside the usual electric offerings.

The festival will be held at Banbury Mill Arts Centre, starting at 7.30pm.

The new stage will allow organiser Colin Wills, known as Crazy Cactus, to present a wider range of music for blues lovers and fans of acoustic roots music.

The acoustic stage will be hosted by half man half guitar' Roland Chadwick, who will perform and introduce Michael Berk, Grammy winner Amrit Sond, and guitar wizard Adrian Legg.

The main theatre stage starts with the John O'Leary Band. O'Leary was singer and harmonica player with the Savoy Brown Blues Band in the 1960s.

Second on the main stage will be guitarist Ian Parker and his band, and the evening will be rounded off by Ska-Lectrix.

Upstairs at The Mill, in the Millers Bar, a more informal atmosphere will be created by a variety of styles.

David Bristow will sings, Abie Budgen will perform songs by memphis Minnie and Big Bill Broonzy, Keith Thompson and Patsy Gamble will showcase a more jazzy style, and JC and Angelina Grimshaw will make a return to the festival.

Tickets cost £17 (£20 on the door) from The Mill on 01295 279002, or from Mr Wills on 01280 705301.