SOME of the folk scene's youngest singer-songwriters are coming to Cheltenham Folk Festival next month to continue the event's commitment to showcasing 'the changing face of folk'.

The ninth Cheltenham Folk Festival is running from February 11-13 and the finishing touches are being made to preparations.

"Folk and acoustic music is enjoying a great revival internationally," said festival organiser Angie Osman. "The 2005 festival proudly rides this bandwagon, combining some of the best traditional bands on the scene with a new up-and-coming breed of young folk talent. Our audiences are in for a real treat."

Cheltenham Town Hall will be the principal venue for the events. On Friday, the headline act will be energetic ten-piece BELLOWhead, which is led by and BBC Radio 2 award-winners John Spiers and John Boden. The band is described as 'a new generation of musicians who perform English traditional folk music as you have never heard it before'.

On Saturday, the joint top billing goes to multi award-winner Eliza Carthy as well as 'the starlet of Irish folk music' Sharon Shannon, the fiddler and accordionist who has accompanied the likes of The Waterboys, Sinead O'Connor and members of U2.

Throughout the weekend, there will also be the chance to see the renowned duo Bob Fox and Stu Luckley, reunited for the first time in a decade as well as Equation, Crucible, Flook!, Cheltenham's own The Fraser Sisters and Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies.

Special guests will include Harriet Bartlett, singers Threlfall, Ellison, Edwards and storyteller Taffy Thomas who is bringing his Magic Lantern Folk Theatre Company to the town hall.

Extra events include the Noon Interview on Sunday, when Martin Graebe will be chatting with a number of celebrities, workshops, late night events and music around the town.

New for this year is a market area where there will be chance for a bit of retail therapy, as well as a session series called Pieces and Harmony which will be giving audiences the chance to hear a bit of laid-back live music in the Cheltenham Music Library in Chester Walk.

Pick up a brochure around the town or visit the Cheltenham Festivals website at www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk for more details of events or call the box office on 01242 227979.