WARD Thomas, Steeleye Span and Feast of Fiddles will headline New Forest Folk Festival in 2018.

The sixth annual shindig was such a success, with a record 2,000 music lovers through the gates on a glorious weekend earlier this month, that organisers have unveiled their plans for next year already.

Dubbed the small festival with the big line up, it saw 46 musicians pack the rustic wooden stage in an atmospheric set from Friday night headliners Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, pictured.

Show of Hands headlined the Saturday night and Mad Dog Mcrea rounded off Sunday.

Hampshire’s own Ward Thomas will perform in 2018 fresh from sets at Glastonbury and Isle of Wight this summer. Twins Catherine and Lizzy made chart history by becoming the first UK country act to score a number one album.

Folk rock pioneers Steeleye Span will also appear. One of the most influential names in British roots music, they remain at the forefront of the genre they helped to define.

Also on the bill are musical extravaganza Feast of Fiddles. Expect every genre and quite a few fiddles!

Other acts already confirmed for 2018 include TRADarrr, Julie Felix, CoCo and the Butterfields, Reg Meuross, Matt Black and Polly Morris.

Nick Curtis, his wife Helen and his brother Keith and their families, organise the festival held at Powells Farm, Plaitford, the family’s home for six generations. It will take place from July 4 to 8 next year.

Tickets are already on sale at newforestfolkfestival.co.uk .