Now in its 17th year, the festival at Pump Bottom Farm, Birdham Road, has long since become one of the most significant blues events anywhere in the UK or Europe.

This year, with a particularly strong programme, it runs from Thursday June 19 to Sunday June 22.

Founder and director Julian Moores is delighted with the programme he's put together.

"On Thursday June 19, we have an excellent rock blues night with young Krissy Matthews taking the stage for the first time at the Farm. Krissy, often referred to as 'the guitar prodigy', juggles his school work with countless hours of practice and has undertaken several European tours with his band."

Innes Sibun, considered one of the top flight guitarists in the UK, fills the middle slot with his band while evergreen rockers The Hamsters, heading towards their 4,000th gig, perform the final slot on their return to the farm after several years absence.

"Friday June 20 sees Dani Wilde, a young female guitarist with a superb musical talent and a voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin, take to the stage for the first time at the Farm. Dani has a first-class BA honours degree in music from Sussex University and is no shrinking violet when it comes to belting out a gutsy number."

At 22 years old, Dani first hit the stage as a backing vocalist for Maddie Prior, of Steeleye Span fame. So impressed was Prior at Dani's performance that she asked Dani to join her at a sell-out concert at Swindon.

"The audience were wowed by her excellent delivery and finger-picking style. Dani was firmly on the musical map."

"Aynsley Lister will need little introduction to those who follow progressive blues - a young guitarist of extraordinary talent and already four albums to his credit."

Completing the night is Point Blank, an American superband who have never played here in the UK.

"The line-up is formidable with Buddy Whittington and Rusty Burns, both exceptional lead guitarists, battling it out together on stage. Touring Europe in June, they have agreed to do a one-nighter here at the Farm."

Julian added: "Saturday sees our first long day of music and we welcome the return of the Lisa Mills, first lady of Mississippi, creative genius of the electro-acoustic guitar."

Saturday June 21 (doors open at 12 noon) is the first of the Big Weekend days, kicking off with Mississippi songwriter and guitarist Lisa Mills. Next up are Swansea-based Bullitt in their first south-coast concert.

The day also features the British Blues Quintet: "With over two hundred years of gigging between them they are the pinnacle of British Blues honed over four decades", as Julian says. "The names alone bring back memories from the glorious past; Maggie Bell, Colin Hodgkinson, Miller Anderson, Zoot Money, Colin Allen, all the finest of players brought together under one formidable banner."

Also on the bill is Rodney Branigan, a young American who can, and will, play two guitars at the same time. Three-times winner of Blues Harp Player of the Year, Errol Linton's Blues Vibe will also be there.

As Julian explains, "Errol cut his teeth on the tough busking circuit and has won critical acclaim throughout Europe and the UK - cool jazz lines, funk, blues all interspersed with stunning vocals from a man who makes it look so easy."

Sunday June 22 (doors 12 noon) is Family and Chill Out Day, with Kris Dollimore leading the way.

"Listen to Kris and you would swear he hails from one or other deep south delta in the US. Not so, the Medway and Isle of Sheppey is Kriss' home."

3 AM will be followed by the Gary Fletcher Band, led by founder member of the Blues Band Gary Fletcher. Also featuring will be Matthew Lee, 22-year-old Italian maestro of the keyboards performing for the first time here in the UK.

"With all the flair and showmanship of old Jerry Lee himself, this young performer will dazzle with the sheer speed and cheeky application of his skills to the ivories," Julian said.

Albert Nyathi and Imbongi featuring Maquingha Madebe, master guitarist, and their intoxicating African Hi-Life township jive will finish the festival with a flourish.

The main stage is housed in a massive 120-foot marquee where state-of-the-art sound equipment relays the music to all on the site.

Julian added: "Blues On The Farm has evolved over the years from a one-evening show into a four-day international event with many top class, well-known acts, together with relative unknowns, taking the stage. The outstanding quality of the event is that it has maintained its party atmosphere whilst providing some really top-class music throughout its duration.

"The festival sports all the trimmings of larger events without the hassle and overcrowding associated with some of the bigger venues - excellent food stalls, a smattering of clothing and other stands together with a massive real ale bar with some twenty different and interesting draught beers and the famous Appledram Cider made at the farm."

/blob/ Tickets on www.bluesonthefarm.co.uk and from the main booking office on 01243 773828/539072.