A brand-new free music festival is to arrive in Silloth this summer featuring local artists.

The Silloth Firebird Festival is planned for July 6 and 7 and will by opened by eight-year-old local drummer, Caleb H, who has appeared live with Slipknot and Evanescence, and on the Ellen DeGeneres show in the United States.

Also appearing and providing entertainment over the weekend will be The Fired Up Events Troupe who do fire eating and dancing, stilt walkers, clowns and a children's circus workshop.

“We sadly lost our annual local music festival recently,” said organiser Simon Keel.

“But are hopeful that we can give the town another live music event that the whole family can enjoy and look forward to yearly.

“It's going to be a great music event with lots of family entertainment so definitely something for everyone.”

The festival aims to cover a wide variety of music styles including ska, northern soul and rock.

Bands coming to the Firebird Festival included the Skapones, Northern Threads and leading Green Day tribute band, Green Haze.

The music festival is in place of the Silloth beer festival which has sadly folded after more than 20 years.

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“Everybody's worked very hard to get it going,” said Simon.

“We feel that although haven't got the funds for the marquee and the ticketed event, we're lucky to have had enough money to put this free event together and it seems to have sparked a hell of a lot of interest, so we're looking forward to it.”

The festival team have teamed up with men’s mental health charity, Andy's Man Club.

Andy’s Man Club will be taking up residence for the weekend helping to raise awareness of men’s mental health and they have also helped to support the festival.