FOLK and comedy star Richard Digance has been revealed as the headline act for Darlington’s annual folk festival .

The Darlington Spring Thing will be held at the Dolphin Centre between Friday, March 22, and Sunday, March 24, with a wide range of professional and folk musicians performing around the town.

This year will be the first time that the event will be held at the Dolphin Centre, following the closure of the town's former Arts Centre.

The festival is organised by Darlington Folk Club and Darlington Borough Council’s events team, in association with Darlington Mummers and Darlington Folk Workshop.

Mr Digance is an award-winning musician who is included in The Virgin Anthology of Songwriters for his important contribution to British comedy songwriting.

He has supported Steve Martin in the USA, Robin Williams at The London Palladium and was awarded the Gold Award from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.

Other artists in Spring Thing line-up include see Bernard Wrigley, Pete Abbott, Bram Taylor, Flossie Malavialle, the Wilson Family, Marie Little and other national and local folk artists in concerts and workshops.

George Armstrong, chairman of the Festival Organising Committee, said: “The festival ran successfully for many years in the Arts Centre; however the move of location has provided us with a great potential for expansion.”

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure, said: “The annual Spring Thing has become a legend in its own lifetime in Darlington. It is a rich and varied celebration that attracts not just folk fans but families as well.

“There is an exciting line-up for this year’s festival and I urge everyone to come along and enjoy the atmosphere.” For a full Spring Thing programme of events visit darlingtonfolkclub.com or call 01325-388410 for tickets.