FUN for all the family will be on offer at this year's Dartmoor Folk Festival, which takes place at South Zeal tomorrow (Friday), Saturday and Sunday, August 10, 11 and 12.

Top local and national artists will headline at the event and a DVD will be launched to celebrate the festival's 35th anniversary.

Performing the official opening and launching the DVD will be Bob and Jacqueline Patten of Morchard Bishop, archivists for the association which runs the annual event.

Bob and Jacqui are both survivors of the horrific M5 multiple-vehicle crash near Taunton last November, which left seven people dead.

Jacqui sustained serious injuries during the accident and it was many months before she made a full recovery.

Bob and Jacqui have been instrumental in the production of the DVD, which is historical, archival and educational.

Copies of the DVD will be available to purchase.

Artists at the festival will include Spiers and Boden, well known for their involvement as founding members of the big band folk phenomenon that is Bellowhead, All Blacked Up, Moore Moss Rutter, Kelly Quarry Blasters, The Young Uns, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman, Chucklefoot, The Bonfire Band, Dartmoor Pixie Band, Tony Beard, Jim Causley, Pete Coe, Rob Pudner, Dave Wills plus morris and dance teams.

The festival will include a packed programme of concerts, a ramble on Dartmoor, a ceilidh, folk service, craft displays, dances, a Dartmoor Fayre, music hall, pub sessions and music, song and dance workshops.

A children's festival operates throughout the weekend, with dedicated workshops and activities for children, who must be accompanied by an adult.

There will also be a 'Cream of Devon' concert featuring purely Devonian artists.

Some events are free of charge and admission to all the other events are reasonably charged.

Competitions include the Dartmoor Broom Dance championships and Dartmoor Stepdance Championships.

This year broom dance championship winners will receive Olympic-themed gold, silver and bronze medals in addition to their usual prizes.

Alan Quick, publicity officer, said: 'An action-packed programme has been arranged and we are looking forward to a great festival.

'There will be three days of music, song, dance and crafts.

'Entertainment is arranged for the whole family to enjoy, whether to take part or simply sit and watch.'

For further details about the festival, or to book tickets, telephone 01837 840102 or see the website http://www.dartmoorfolkfestival.co.k">www.dartmoorfolkfestival.co.k