RICHMOND Live organisers say last year’s event was so successful they have been able to pull in bigger names this time around.

After glorious weather and record attendance at last summer’s Richmond Live, organisers have booked The South - formerly known as Beautiful South before reforming in 2009.

Marketing manager Jon Naylor said: “We couldn’t have hoped for a better event at Richmond Live 2013.

“The weather was fabulous, the attendance exceptional, the acts were the best ever and the crowds of music fans grew to levels never seen before.

“Such a successful event last year has given us a great head start for the 2014 show.

“It means we have funds available to attract the acts we are looking for and get them signed up much earlier than before, and we are proud to announce our Saturday night headline act already – The South.

“Even better news is we actually plan to have two headliners this year - the second of which will be announced shortly.”

Now in its 16th year, Richmond Live is the town’s largest music festival, and after starting with a handful of volunteers and a few hundred spectators in the 1990s, the event now attracts names such as From the Jam, Marillion and Paul Carrack, and sees hundreds of fans through the gates of the Batts, next to the river Swale.

The South stills contain the most of the original members, including singers Dave Hemmingway and Alison Wheeler, and are set to bring out old favourites such as A Little Time, Perfect Ten and Old Red Eyes.

Their new album Sweet Refrains has been described as “catchily gorgeous” by Rock N Reel magazine, and The South will be showcasing some of their new tracks at the event.

A non-profit making event relying upon donations and support from across the local community, the committee is keen to thank sponsors, including the Darlington and Stockton Times, the Friends of Richmond Live and hard-working volunteers.

Richmond Live runs from 4.45pm to 11pm on Friday, August 1 and noon to 11pm on Saturday, August 2.

For more information visit www.richmondlive.org.