STAR names are heading for the New Forest Folk Festival.

They include Show of Hands, Feast of Fiddles, Julie Felix, Dean Friedman, The Springfields, Richard Digance and Little Johnny England, to name but a few.

All will be performing at the three-day show at Powells Farm in Plaitford from August 30 to September 1.

Professional photographer Keith Curtis and his brother Nick are behind the star-studded festival, which opens at midday on August 30, with Richard Digance first up on stage. An hour later the Red Arrows are due to fly over the site en route for Bournemouth Air Show.

“We were lucky to get the Red Arrows, We applied for them to fly over and got them. Hopefully we will get plenty of smoke and colour,” said Keith.

Others due to perform include Gigspanner, Edwina Hayes, Reg Meuross, Jenna Witts, Fake Thackray, Green Diesel, Louise Jordon, All Things Considered, Adrian Duffy, Sally Ironmonger, Bob Kirkpatrick, Claire Booth and Jess Vincent.

Besides the music, the festival will include King John’s Morris Dancers, a heavy horse display and a birds of prey show.

“We are hoping to make this an annual event, and we’ve got the whole village behind what we are doing,” said Keith.

Last year Keith and his brother hosted a small festival as a tryout for this one.

“We’ve had all the artists lined up since the beginning of this year. This will be the first proper festival. We’ve posted video clips of all the artists taking part on our website.

“Basically it’s me and my brother doing it all. My brother makes commercial videos for businesses including the NHS,”

said Keith, who has photographed numerous pop stars including Eric Clapton, Sam Fox and Barry Gibb.

He is advising would-be festival goers to buy tickets in advance because they are limited.

The festival is open daily between midday and 10.30pm, ending at 6pm on the Sunday.

Tickets cost £60 for the whole weekend, with day tickets priced £25. Go to newforestfolkfestival.co.uk.