FOLK on the Pier - Norfolk's largest folk and roots music festival which celebrates its 11th year this May - has achieved its fastest ticket sales ever despite the economic downturn.

FOLK on the Pier - Norfolk's largest folk and roots music festival which celebrates its 11th year this May - has achieved its fastest ticket sales ever despite the economic downturn.

Tickets went on sale early in October 2008 and there are just a handful left for each day in the run- up to the event.

The festival features a stellar mix of all things folk, electric and acoustic-roots, with some jazz, blues, bluegrass and skiffle thrown in, and takes place at the Pavilion Theatre and around Cromer over the weekend.

Festival producer Scott Butler said he was delighted Cromer licensees had supported the fringe events despite the difficult financial climate.

Headlining acts for the main event include The Strawbs in their full electric line-up, two of Scotland's greatest players Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, and Baka Beyond who return to the event after many years with their mix of African and Celtic music.

Many great singer songwriters are appearing, including Harvey Andrews, Fraser Nimmo, Gerry Colvin and Vin Garbutt, as well as acclaimed guitarists Claude Bourbon from France and Brooks Williams from the

USA.

Other main acts include

Brass Monkey, featuring legends

Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick, six-piece folk-rockers from Wales Mabon and the award-winning Uiscedwr Big Band.

The Pavilion concerts are headlined on Sunday by the return of Fairport Convention in their acoustic format, 11 years since they headlined the inaugral event.

Cromer will be offering many free events over the weekend, including performances by popular acts such as the Electric Blues Machine at the Station House, Ugly Dog Skiffle Group at the Wellington, Hayley Moyse's Bluegrass Forum at the Dolphin and Giovanni, the Onion Band at the Dolphin and Anglia Court Hotel and guitarist Pete Smith at a number of venues.

There will also be some song and stories from Harvey Andrews who celebrates more than 40 years in the business in a rare off-stage and intimate performance at the Cottage in Louden Road on the Friday lunchtime.

A satellite event on Saturday, May 9 at 11.30am features internationally acclaimed harp and guitar duo Chris Newman and Maire Ni Chathasaigh at St Martin's Church, Overstrand. The concert has been sponsored by the festival and tickets are �5 each from Overstrand Post Office, the

festival merchandise stall at

the Pavilion Theatre or on the

door subject to availability on

the day.