BLUESATHON is back - and this year it's bigger and better than ever.

Now in its fourth year, the charity music event has had to move to a bigger venue - Woodside Park on the outskirts of Lymington - for its latest outing, which takes place on Saturday from midday.

The non-stop 12-hour show raises money for the Coda Music Trust, based in Christchurch.

Last year's event, headlined by American bluesman Eric Bibb at Lymington Yacht Haven, was a sell-out, leaving a lot of disappointed people unable to get in.

The latest event, headlined by veteran R'n'B star Zoot Money and his band, also features several of the bands who impressed last year, such as soul sensations Big Red and the melodic Skimmer. Other talent includes rising singer-songwriter Amy Wadge, blues singers Michael Messer and Ian Siegal, Swamp Thing and Grass Roots.

Despite the name, the show does not just feature blues music, but also folk, country, jazz and much more.

Coda is a charity specialising in music tuition and music therapy which currently caters for about 400 people.

It helps introduce children to music via musical tuition and workshops, as well as helping people with physical and mental problems to reap the proven benefits of participating in music.

Under the guidance of founder and manager David Walters, the centre has been hugely successful. It has outgrown its present buildings and a massive redevelopment of the site is planned - hence the desperate need for funds.

Tickets for the gig cost £10.

For more details about Coda go to www.coda.org.uk For information about Bluesathon 2004 go to www.bluesathon.com