Beat up for a Bash; Also playing: Barney Big Bash music festival.

Byline: Philip Tallentire

THE Bank Holiday weekend sees the welcome return of the Barney Big Bash four-day music festival.

One year on from a successful debut event, the festival returns to the Teesdale market town of Barnard Castle.

The organisers have put together a bill that should have something for everyone.

Spokesman Andy Power says: "We try to bring a real eclectic mix, with rock and R& B, folk, ska, Northern soul as well as contemporary music and some of the best tribute artists available."

Starting at 6pm tonight and continuing through to Bank Holiday Monday night, headliners include ska band THE BEAT, who enjoyed major success in the early 1980s with hits like Mirror In The Bathroom and Too Nice To Talk To, on Sunday.

Hugely popular R'n'B band THE HAMSTERS (pictured above) headline tomorrow night; while tribute acts on Monday include headliners T-REXTASY, ELO EXPERIENCE and ULTIMATE MADNESS.

Keen to stress that Barney Big Bash aims to be an affordable and family friendly alternative to the higher profile festivals, Andy says: "We pride ourselves in our set up, with great food and drink at pub prices, first class stages and production.

"We understand that in these times families have less money and therefore we try to make it as affordable as possible."

* THE festival site is on playing fields accessed via Newgate, opposite the Bowes Museum entrance, in Barnard Castle. Day tickets are pounds 15, under-16s free if accompanied by an adult. Weekend passes also available. Tel [phone] for details.