WIMBORNE Folk Festival returns next weekend – and after 31 years it’s still going strong.

Organisers had been worried that they would have to pull the three-day annual event in the face of swingeing funding cuts.

But local government money came through, allowing the festival to go ahead.

And a record number of 52 dance teams have signed up to take part.

Final preparations are underway before the town’s streets, halls and pubs are filled with dancing, concerts, workshops and much more from Friday, June 10, to Sunday, June 12.

An opening procession kicks off the fun from 7.30pm on Friday, followed by an opening concert and Ceilidh in the Allendale Community Centre’s main hall.

The streets will be thronging with music and dancing from 10.30am-5pm on Saturday, with the main procession starting at 2.30pm.

Workshops and concerts will be running at the Allendale, in Hanham Road, with another Ceilidh at Queen Elizabeth’s School.

Children’s entertainment and a market will be outside the Allendale and in the Olive Branch car park all weekend.

And on the Sunday a market will be held throughout the town centre. Street events close at 5pm, ahead of the evening’s final concert at the Allendale.

Michael McGoldrick and his band will headline this, supported by Beoga.

Debut performances include Irish band Guidewires, making their first UK appearance on Saturday, and Scottish band Daimh will play their first visit to the South on Friday.

Programmes are now available from the Allendale and the Tourist Information Centre, in High Street.

For details, visit www.wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk or email linda.wild@wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk or maria.bisp@wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk.