THE port of Looe is gearing up for thousands of visitors over next weekend when a line-up of major bands hits the sands for the second annual three-day music festival.

Headliners include The Stranglers, Levellers, The Skints, The Lambrettas, Showaddywaddy, If, The Patrick James Pearson Band and more, with up to 60 bands in total.

Also gracing the main Adrenalin stage on the beach will be Kernow King himself, also known as Falmouth comedian Ed Rowe.

The huge event for the small town will cost in the region of £150,000 to stage, and is completely self funded from donations, sponsors, ticket sales and fundraising events, with no grant aids sought.

More than 100 people will be working behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly, but the event has been organised by a small committee.

Now a registered charity, with three trustees – Sara Merrin, Neil Hipkiss and Tanya Brittain – The Looe Music Festival is a 'not for profit event.'

Tanya Brittain said: 'This year's festival has trebled in size, numbers and cost, but we are confident of its success. It was first organised to promote music in Looe and to give a boost to the local economy by hopefully extending the holiday season, helping accommodation providers and local businesses. That remit still stands.'

Almost 6,000 tickets have already been sold and this week the organisers were given the news that their application to Cornwall Council to extend their premises licence had been approved, which will up the capacity to 9,000.

This means more tickets can now be released including day tickets for Saturday and Sunday and Friday night tickets at the Adrenalin stage.

There are free sessions in The Guildhall and Fore Street in East Looe on Saturday from noon-8pm and live music and entertainment is also planned at The Jolly Sailor (West Looe), The Quayside Bar, The Bullers Arms, Zute, The Ship Inn, Fisherman's Arms, The Globe, Sail Loft and Archies.

There is a free party for children on Friday with a fancy dress theme of Piskeys, Faeries and Knockers, which is also the theme for the weekend, but mainly on Sunday when everyone is encouraged to come in fancy dress.

Festival tickets have so far been sold the length and breadth of the UK and also in Canada, France, and Belgium. Only about 15 per cent have been sold locally.

Meanwhile, a few weeks ago a teenager from St Ive was playing guitar for his own enjoyment, his friends and family, but at 2.30pm next Saturday he will be performing at Looe Music Festival on the Adrenalin stage in front of thousands.

Talented 14-year-old Jo Cradick has been picked up as the replacement lead guitarist for St Austell-based band Ten Zero One, who are fast making a name for themselves.

All the lads, who play mainly their own music, are just 14, and they were such a hit with the crowds last year when they played on one of the smaller stages, they were promised that this year they would be elevated to the main stage.

Jo, the son of Paul and Ellen Cradick, played his first gig with the band at Calstock Bikers' Festival in August after only a few days practice, and is now eagerly looking forward to Looe Music Festival.