ORGANISERS of a County Durham market town’s charity music festival are preparing for another jam-packed year after deciding to host a second event following a successful debut.

The first Barney Jam music festival raised nearly £900 for the Cancer Research UK Teesdale team, after dozens of musicians took to the stage across seven different pubs in Barnard Castle in September.

Revellers enjoyed 11 hours of live music from more than 20 acts during the event which was organised by Toni Sidgwick, Paul Upton, Michelle Grancourt, Gary Grainger and Malcolm Elsbury.

Mr Upton said the fantastic turn-out had inspired the organisers to put on a second event and applications for acts are now open.

“It’s full steam ahead for 2017 to run it again with a few changes and we are open for applications now,” he said.

“Ideally we would like to try to get different people on than last year and continue that great thing of live music because that’s what it’s all about – promoting live music in Teesdale and the Barnard Castle area.”

Mr Upton said the event, which can cater up to 14 acts, is open to all musicians including all bands and soloists who would also be invited to an after show party.

The event will be held on Saturday, September 2, to coincide with the town’s farmers’ market and once again all funds raised will go to Cancer Research UK Teesdale team.

For an application pack email thebarneyjam@outlook.com or search for The Barney Jam on Facebook and Twitter.