​MUSIC fans are celebrating after Beverley Folk Festival was given a welcome financial boost.

Arts Council England, Yorkshire, is donating a grant of  £27,321.

The cash could mean it will be cheaper to  attend the event, being held from June 18 to 20.

Organiser Chris Wade said: “The idea is to make the event affordable. We need another £40,000 and we’re looking for grants from several other organisations.

“Behind the scenes a team of volunteers is working hard planning  the festival.

“Nobody’s benefiting financially out of it, but obviously local businesses will do well that weekend.

“We already have several  sponsorship offers from businesses.”

The festival will be held in the grounds of Beverley Leisure Centre and feature  Scottish  chart-toppers The Proclaimers as its headline act.

Helen Featherstone, arts participation and inclusion officer for Arts Council England, Yorkshire, said: “This lottery award will enable the festival to  attract a wider range of audiences, who will enjoy and experience folk performances and emerging artists.”

The festival, now in its 27th year, originally showcased purely traditional folk music performers. It now includes  a broader mix of artists, alongside some leading traditional musicians from the Yorkshire region as well as throughout the UK and overseas.

Advance tickets can be booked for the festival on a Winter Weekend Special deal. A full list of prices, including with or without camping, is available on the Beverley Folk Festival website.