Majority of Shrewsbury Folk Festival tickets sold early

Shrewsbury Folk Festival has sold more than 85 per cent of its weekend tickets during its early bird price offer, organisers revealed this afternoon.

And they said it was on course for another record-breaking year after selling the majority of its early bird weekend tickets in less than three months, after going on sale on December 1. Bosses would not reveal the exact number sold, but said it equated to 85 per cent.

The deadline for early bird weekend tickets closed yesterday but day tickets, camping tickets and a number of increased priced weekend tickets remain available.

Last year's festival sold out at the beginning of May but organisers believe that this year's ticket allocation could be sold even earlier.

Jo Cunningham, press officer for the festival, said: "Ticket sales are far in advance of last year and we are really surprised and delighted with how things are going.

"To have sold this many tickets in under three months is staggering and goes to show the ever-growing popularity of the festival internationally but also locally."

The festival, held at the County Showground in Berwick Road over August Bank Holiday weekend, is attracting an increasingly international audience with visitors from Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, the US, Australia, Germany, France and Spain all snapping up tickets.

This year's line-up features singer songwriter KT Tunstall, Richard Thompson, Kate Rusby, Show of Hands, Dervish and Blowzabella among the top headliners who will play the main venues between August 24 to 27. For tickets go to www.gigantic.com/shrewsburyfolkfestival