TICKETS are being snapped up for the UK's biggest free festival of rock tribute bands which is returning to Prestwich this summer.

Festwich will be held for the third year running at St Mary’s Park featuring acts including Knotslip, Mentallica, Megadeth UK, Higher-on-Maiden, State of Quo, Guns or Roses, Flew Fighters and Mused, on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27.

Organiser Jools Taylor, who lives in Prestwich, said: “We’ve got some new features coming in this year, an acoustic tent.

“We’re still working on it, adding stuff.

“We want to keep it fresh and build on the success of it.

“I’m really pleased, I couldn’t ask for any more with the way it’s been received.”

The festival will attract 7,000 people a day and music fans will need a free ticket, subject to a £2.50 booking fee, to attend.

Jools, who worked for Ministry of Sound putting on their shows across the world, said: "it will always be (free). 

“We do not anticipate charging for tickets, that’s not what it’s about.

“Because it’s free, it really adds to the vibe of the event.”

As well as revellers from Prestwich, Bury and across Greater Manchester, last year’s festival attracted people from as far afield as Glasgow and Brighton.

Jools said: “It’s gone from strength to strength.

“It just keeps getting better and better every year.

“The first year, people were not used to it and they didn’t know what to expect.

“People’s confidence has grown in it.

“It’s getting more and more popular.

“But we don’t want to make it any bigger in St Mary’s Park. It’s at capacity.”

Other acts on the bill across the weekend include Motley Crue UK, Green Days, The Strange Doors, Pearl Jammer and Pinked Floyd, with more to be announced.

Proceeds from the sale of £7 VIP tickets will be donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Tickets are available from Rock & Goth, Rochdale Road, Bury, Cuckoo Bar, Bury New Road, Prestwich, Ellie Magpie, Bury New Road, Prestwich, Piccadilly Records, Oldham Street, Manchester, ticketline.co.uk or skiddle.com.