TICKETS are now on sale for Folk Weekend Oxford, which is expected to attract thousands of music fans from across the country.

The festival, which is run by volunteers, was launched in 2012 and has grown every year, with performances from local and national folk artists and groups.

City centre streets will be filled with the sound of piano accordions as Morris dancing sides entertain passers-by.

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan are returning to the festival and this time they will be headliners.

They are twice winners of Best Duo at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Joining the headliners will be Leveret, a new collaboration featuring three of England’s finest folk musicians - Andy Cutting, Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron.

Other performers taking part from Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23 include the Melrose Quartet, Ange Hardy and Jim Moray, who has been at the forefront of a new movement in English traditional music.

Folk Weekend Oxford director Cat Kelly, 36, who lives near Witney with husband Euan McGill, daughter Faye, nine, and Thomas, seven, said she was delighted with this year's line-up.

She added: "I'm exceptionally proud of the fantastic programme we have pulled together this year.

"Our headline artists are award-winning performers, and they will be ably supported by a host of superb acts, including, as always, a large number of fantastic local artists.

"Our biggest venue for concerts will be Wesley Memorial Church in New Inn Hall Street but there will be performances at lots of other venues, and performances in the street as well.

"Free concerts will take place throughout the weekend at Blackwell's Bookshop and at the Pitt Rivers Museum.

"We expect at least 5,000 folk music fans to attend different concerts and performances.

"Last year at the opening performance it snowed, even thought it was April, but the sun soon came out and it was gorgeous after that.

"The sun came out after a choir of 60 people sang a song about spring."

The folk weekend also boasts an all-star cast of supporting acts including Jackie Oates, Megan Henwood and Pete Thomas in their new acoustic roots and folk trio, and John Spiers, one of the leading squeezebox players of his generation.

Other acts include Dan Walsh, Dipper Malkin, Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith, The Emily Askew Band and The Discussion Topic.

Big names in Oxfordshire's folk and acoustic scene will feature throughout the festival, including Coldharbour, Edward Pope White Horse Whisperers, The Skeptics and Short Drag Roger.

Alongside the varied line-up, there will be ceilidhs, workshops, European-style dancing, Morris dancing displays, an free family events.

The Special Saturday events include a performance of folk songs and a ceilidh for people with Special Needs.

Weekend season tickets cost £67, with day season tickets starting at £30, and there are tickets on sale for individual events.

Tickets are available now via the website folkweekendoxford.co.uk