HE was Up the Junction but now he is heading down to the Purbecks.

Yes, prepare to be Tempted to the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival this summer as Squeeze’s Chris Difford is announced as the latest headline act.

Chris penned Squeeze classics such as Up The Junction, Labelled With Love, Tempted and Cool For Cats and was a founding member of the group.

The guitarist and vocalist will be headlining the Sunday night at the festival and will also be taking part in Saturday’s Songwriting Circle, an intimate opportunity to hear the stories behind the songs from the man himself.

The Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, which will run from August 27-30, is located on the A351 (Valley Road) between Corfe Castle and Swanage. Full weekend tickets are available with a 20 per cent discount for local residents within the BH19 and BH20 postcode.

This popular family event is brought to you by Paul and Catherine Burke, the music and entertainment directors and curators of the award-winning Purbeck Folk Festival and the Bournemouth Folk Club.

“We are delighted Chris Difford is playing Purbeck Valley Folk Festival. We just kept hearing his name mentioned in reverential terms by some of the best young songwriters who played at our folk club.

“Each of them had been to his songwriting workshops or university sessions.

"So we contacted him and he came and played a fabulous, very laid-back concert at Centre Stage in Bournemouth several years ago. It will be wonderful to have him at the festival,” said Catherine Burke.

Tickets are selling fast for this year’s festival with the first acts now being announced. Other headline acts revealed so far include Kathryn Tickell, Megson, Martha Tilston & the Scientists, Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin and the ever-popular Moulettes.

Weekend tickets (Fri-Sun) include free camping and are on sale now at just £80 (youth £40, children over three £10).

A limited number of festival day tickets will also be available.

For more information visit and for tickets call 023 80711818 or visit www.ticketsouth.co.uk.