A MUSIC-LOVER is hoping to transform Helsby into the next Glastonbury, filled with rock bands and festival fanatics dancing in the sunshine.

Paul Salvi, 42, from Frodsham, is preparing himself for a landmark weekend which he hopes will put ‘Helsby on the map’ as he launches his acoustic festival in the village this Sunday.

The Little Big Festival will see dozens of bands and solo artists descend on the village to showcase their talent and play to packed crowds at the recently reopened Eccies Club, at the former ex-servicemen’s club venue in Helsby.

The father-of-one hopes that the festival will bring punters and music lovers out of the city centre bars and clubs and into the village for an evening of good music, food and drink and family fun.

Paul said: “We try to do something different with the festival each year.

“We have played at the Cheshire Cheese in Frodsham and that was really successful, but this year we decided to bring the festival to Helsby to inject some of the local talent into the community.

“We want to try to put Helsby on the music scene map.

“I am hoping that hundreds of people will turn up at the weekend. In a couple of years we would like to have the bands playing on top of Helsby hill, that would be the dream.”

There are performances by Ellie Larke, Chris Barnes, Captain Andy, The Bear Beats Band, Paul Williams and Rusty Cadillacs, among others, as well as fun and games, a beer tent and a hog roast.

All the money raised will be donated to the Macmillan Cancer Nurses.

The Little Big Festival kick starts at the Eccies Club on Mountain View, Helsby, at 1.30pm on Sunday. Entrance is free and more information can be found on the Little Big Facebook page.