FOLK singer Maddy Prior will be getting music fans in the mood for Christmas with a special appearance in Salisbury in December.

Maddy and her Carnival Band will be casting a Christmas spell when they make a return visit to Salisbury City Hall for a celebration of festive folk.

Famous for her long-running association with British folk band Steeleye Span, who had a 1975 festive hit with All Around My Hat, Prior is one of the country's most popular traditional entertainers.

Her live show features Christmas music played on a mix of medieval and modern instruments. Festive favourites such as The Holly and the Ivy and I Saw Three Ships rub shoulders with secular carols like The Boar's Head and dance tunes such as Old Joe Clark.

With their cavalier attitude and love for music, the Carnival Band put their stamp on a range of familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare, including specially-composed songs from their own album.

The band have been blending musical instruments and traditions, ranging from early music to music hall tunes, since 1984.

In that same year Maddy first joined them for a BBC Radio Christmas carol programme.

Since then she has collaborated with the band on various occasions, including regular seasonal recordings and tours.

You can see Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band at Salisbury City Hall on Thursday, December 16 at 8pm. Tickets cost from £11. Box office: 01722 327676.