THE very wonderful and mightily eccentric Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been booked to play this year's Larmer Tree Music Festival. The virtuoso uke players kick off the opening night of the festival on Wednesday July 13.

They will support bill-topper Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra who are returning to the festival for two nights of high-energy, dancing and merriment.

The subject of vast media coverage, The Ukulele Orchestra is famed for its rare and humorous musical style which combines punk, jazz, rock 'n' roll and classical music.

Indeed they cover tracks from artists who range from Ms Dynamite right through to Mantovani.

Demand for their unique repertoire and the orchestra's reputation as a class live act was boosted by a recent sell-out tour of UK village halls, including several highly-praised gigs in deepest Dorset.

For Jools Holland's second night at the festival on Thursday July 14, his support artist will be Flanagan, an outfit which, as its name suggests, is fronted by his own long-standing Rhythm and Blues Orchestra guitarist Mark Flanagan.

An oustanding musician, Mark, who hails from Liverpool, was mesmerised by Django Rheinhardt from an early age and also cites The Beatles, Tamla Motown, David Bowie, and the Rolling Stones as influences.

His album The Chosen Few was voted Best Blues Album 2002 in the Blues in Britain poll.

Other acts confirmed to play during the this year's Larmer Tree festivities include The Bees, Clayhill, The Cat Empire, Rich Hall, The Handsome Family, Show of Hands, Hank Wangford and Lunasa, plus many more.

The festival, which runs from July 13 to Sunday July 17, is one of the most stylish festivals in Britain. Set on a beautiful site among the stunning scenery of Cranborne Chase on the Dorset/Wiltshire border, The Larmer Tree Gardens boast oriental pagodas and free-flying macaws. The family-friendly festival tends towards blues, folk, roots and world music with plenty of workshops and children's events to keep everybody happy.

For more details and bookings see www.larmertreefestival.co.uk or call 023 8071 1820. Please check the website to see up-dated news of ticket availability.