MIDWICH Records is raising funds for the annual Leigh Folk Festival with a mid-winter celebration in the town.

The Leigh-based record label has brought together a host of bands for a Solstice Night event at the Ship, in New Road, on Sunday, December 21.

The label is co-run by Steven Collins, a member of the Owl Service, whose band play alongside fellow Midwich Records mainstays, the Straw Bear Band, and Nancy Wallace, the voice of the Memory Band. She also appears in a duo, with ragtime folk guitar virtuoso Jason Steel.

Completing the line-up is Leigh acapella trio the Honeygales and the Kitti-wakes.

The latter are accordion player Chris Harrison, Jill Cumberbatch, who plays mandolin and violin, and singer and violinist Kate Denny, whose trad-inspired folk draws heavily from the traditions of both the UK and Norway.

Both of these acts are releasing albums through Midwich Records next year.

All funds raised will go towards funding next summer’s 19th annual Leigh Folk Festival, which brings hundreds of people and musicians to the town for a weekend of free live entertainment in June.

Doors open at 7pm, with an open mic session getting proceedings under way. If you would like to take part, e-mail info@midwich-cuckoos to book a slot.

Entry on the night is £5 and there will be free mince pies and a Midwich Records CD giveaway for the first 50 people through the door.

For more information, visit www.leighfolkfestival.co.uk