A TOP folk artist will be wowing the crowds at a folk festival in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Eddi Reader, famed for her hit song Perfect with the band Fairground Attraction will be playing at Bridgnorth Folk Festival 2003.

The event which runs from Friday, August 22 to Monday, August 25 will feature other big names in the folk genre including Chris While & Julie Matthews.

The festival which promises traditional and contemporary music will be held at Oldbury Wells School Campus, Bridgnorth.

The event will have musical elements from the world of folk, rock , blues, classical, jazz and bhangra.

The event normally attracts visitors from all over the country, and there will be two on-site sound stages to keep the masses entertained.

Wolfstone from Scotland who are a driving rock band will also be on the bill, along with The Paperboys who are from Vancouver.

Imbizo from Zimbabwe will also be adding a bit of cultural diversity with their vocal harmonies.

Americans SPIKEdrivers are back for their second year at the festival, and North Cregg are flying over from Ireland to join in the Bridgnorth fun.

People who come to the festival will be able to enjoy the sounds from more than 200 performers this year.

On Saturday the festival will run its own five-carriage steam train with musicians on board along the line from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster and back.

For more information call 01746 768813.

Bridgnorth Folk Festival is also presenting its street festival in Bridgnorth High Street for free.

If you want to sample some of the festivals top entertainment without paying, the six-hour music and dance street festival will be taking place on Sunday, August 24.