THE first-ever Cropton Music Festival will be showcasing some of Ryedale's top musical talent this month.

The event, on Sunday, April 15, will be held in a marquee at The New Inn, Cropton, and is in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The lineup is set to include local bands 3ft Ninja, Chu Ma Shu, Loud Noises, The Daftness, The Apathy Trio, My Friend Juliet, Diva Strop, Dunno and Something Blue as well as acoustic acts Will 'n' Dave and Shabby Tiger.

Organiser Mark Norton, a musician himself, said that there has already been a lot of interest in the event.

He said: "There is a buzz about the festival - so much so that we've had to upgrade the marquee from 200 to 500 person capacity."

Mark said that a lack of local musical festivals had prompted he and his friend, Scott Warden to organise the event.

He said: "There used to be the Rosedale Music Festival but that is no longer around.

Scott has organised other music events in the past so when Phil Lee, owner of The New Inn, asked us to put a festival together we jumped at the chance."

Mark added: "The event is a bit of an experiment really.

"If it's successful we hope to run others later in the year."

Tickets, a steal at £3, even include transport to and from the gig. For more details log on to www.croptonbrewery.com/music