THIS year’s line-up for the annual Haigh Fest music event has been revealed.

Organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, the event, which celebrates the borough’s bulging bag of musical talent, is expected to attract more than 8,000 people to Haigh Country Park on Sunday, July 3.

Judges whittled down over 60 entries entries to 12 bands :- Faith in Fools, Last Chance, Glassheads, Smitten Kitten, The Lottery Winners, Facing Paige, Second Son, Finding Emo, Signal Auroa, Jeramiah Ferrari and Merry Hell.

For the first time a special guest band from outside Wigan borough, in the shape of Warrington's Sly Digs, will play.

Chris Wyatt, is the festival’s organiser. He said: “Once again it’s been an incredibly tough decision to pick the line-up.

“Haigh Fest is a celebration of the diversity and quality of the music scene in Wigan and Leigh and that is something the borough is truly blessed with.”

In previous years Haigh Fest has received a government arts subsidy to allow it to take place as a free event.

However, due to funding cuts a nominal £2 charge will be introduced this year in order to ensure the future of this event. The entrance fee can be paid on the day, no advance booking necessary.

Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, Stuart Murray said: “By introducing a nominal fee we can ensure the long term sustainability of this fantastic event.

“We have tried to keep the entrance fee to a minimum but without this nominal fee the event would not be taking place.”

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust are also working with private promoters Cuffe and Taylor who are organising Haigh Hall Live! ahead of Haigh Fest.

As part of the contract the stage will be used for Haigh Fest – helping reduce overheads and keep the entrance fee cost down.

The opening night of Haigh Hall Live! is Thursday, June 30 featuring indie band The Courteeners and Merseyside based The Coral.

On Friday July 1 pop fans can revel in a truly eclectic line-up of celebrities with Mysterious Girl singer and TV presenter Peter Andre and star of Pineapple Dance Studio’s reality TV show Andrew Stone and his band Starman all performing.

Tickets for Haigh Hall Live! events are available from www.haighlive.com 0844 880 6614 or www.seetickets.com; www.ticketmaster.co.uk on 0844 873 7334.