SOME of the top artists in the folk world have been lined up for the 27th Dartmoor Folk Festival at South Zeal this summer.

Already confirmed for the three-day event are: Taffy Thomas, John Spiers and Jon Bowden, Ed Rennie, The Amazing Mr Smith, Sara Grey and Kieron Means, All Blacked Up, Flowers and Frolics with Bob Davenport and Dr Sunshine.

Other acts you can catch at the festival are Betty and Norman McDonald, Mark Bazeley, Jason Rice and Rob Murch, Dave Willis, the Wag from Widecombe Tony Beard and the Dartmoor Pixie Band.

Several Morris and dance teams will also be attending the festival which runs on August 6, 7 and 8.

Highlights of the friendly and traditional festival include the Dartmoor Broom Dance Championships, Dartmoor Step Dance Championship, a Dartmoor Fayre, craft displays, dances, a music hall, ceilidh, workshops, folk service, pub sessions and children?s entertainment.

Alan Quick, festival press officer, said: ?Most events take place in halls or at the village playing field, where large marquees are erected to transfer under cover, if needed.?

Mr Quick said: ?It was founded by local musician, the late Bob Cann, who had the idea that he would like to start his own folk festival to help revive and preserve the traditions of Dartmoor, and in particular, the traditional music, dance, song and crafts of the area.?

Bob Cann received the British Empire Medal for his services to folk music before his death more than ten years ago.

?In the recent New Year?s Honours, Bill Cann, the chairman of Dartmoor National Park received the OBE for his services to Dartmoor. We are delighted that he has followed his late uncle?s lead by receiving a civic award,? said Mr Quick.

Camping is available in fields close to the festival site, with the weekend?s events run by a 40-strong association of supporters.

For further details about this year?s Dartmoor Folk Festival send a SAE to: Mrs Jane White, Sunnyhill, Zeal Head, South Zeal, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2JL, telephone 01837 840102 or visit http://www.dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk">www.dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk