IT SEEMS our village halls hold a certain amount of appeal to edgy bands and their army of hipster followers.

Rural North Yorkshire may not have superhighway links, airport access, or ultra-superfast broadband - and only the most well-connected now boast a bus stop. But that hasn’t stopped a stream of big name live music acts heading to some of the remotest parts of the region to perform in recent months.

The latest big event was the John Martyn Summer Gathering; a three day festival in honour of the late musician and highly acclaimed singer songwriter.

It attracted musicians and visitors from across the UK - and some from abroad - to a village hall in the centre of the small community of Hackforth near Bedale.

Nor is it the first time the hamlet – with a population of approximately 170 residents – has seen some high profile performers in its midst.

Other acts have included The Dunwells, who played Hackforth in 2013 shortly after appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in America.

Last year The Hoosiers travelled to an even more remote and small scale venue; The Tan Hill Inn in Arkengarthdale, where they performed to 200 fans, many of whom camped in freezing temperatures to see the band. They were swiftly followed by Scouting for Girls in November.

While Swaledale Arts Festival earlier this year attracted more international musicians and artists to some of the Dales' smallest village halls, pubs and churches.

It seems if you stage an event in North Yorkshire, people will come.

With beautiful scenery, fabulous pubs and an enthusiastic, can-do attitude from its residents, why wouldn’t they?