THOUSANDS of music fans are heading for the hills this weekend for a top music festival.

Maximo Park, Beth Orton, and The Stranglers, are headlining the popular event at Ramsbottom Cricket Club.

The Head for the Hills event – formerly known as Ramsbottom Festival – kicks off tomorrow with gates opening at 5pm. Tickets are still available online and can also be bought at the gate.

This not for profit festival is put on with the support of local businesses including estate agents Pearson Ferrier and Rosso Buses.

If you are planning on staying, tent and camper van pitches can be booked online. If you are coming by car, the M66 is close by but there is no onsite parking. Regular buses are running on the day and additional buses from Chorlton and Manchester are being put on, return tickets cost £10 per day.

Those coming by train could take advantage of the East Lancashire Railway which runs to Ramsbottom from Bury and Rawtenstall.

If you do come by train, the cricket club in Acre Bottom off Bridge Street, where the festival is being held, is only a four minute walk from the station.

The five stages have full line ups for the three days, with performances from a whole host of bands.

As well as musicians from near and far, there will be poets, DJ sets and even a book launch.

Ramsbottom author, Paul Jenkins is using the festival as an opportunity to launch Poems from Villagetown - Volume 2.