A FESTIVAL returns for the third year, with a string of headliners unveiled.

Charity festival Clairefest returns to its Ashwell roots after a stint at the Gordon Craig in Stevenage last year.

Organiser Darrell Stanley, who started up the event in memory of his late wife, Claire, has already secured a number of impressive acts.

The headliners, which were unveiled to the Comet this week, include Peter Howarth, former frontman of The Hollies whose hits include He Ain’t Heavy (He’s My Brother) and The Air That I Breathe.

Rockers Dr Feelgood will also be getting the crowd going, while ’60s English beat group The Tremeloes are set to perform all their number one hits, including Silence Is Golden, Yellow River, Do You Love Me? and Twist and Shout.

The Rock Choir, as seen on TV, are also making an appearance.

Early bird tickets are now on sale for the event, which will be held at Elbrook Meadow Ashwell on September 7.

Darrell promised the festival would be “bigger and better than before”.

He added: “There’s something for everyone. It’s very family orientated.

“There will be three stages this year, which is more than before, and hopefully also an area for acoustics.”

A full list of bands will be announced soon.

Money from the festival will go the Claire Stanley Trust, set up by Darrell in memory of his wife. Claire, who died from breast cancer in 2010, was the landlady at Three Tuns in Ashwell.

The charity funds research into cancer treatments and equipment for treating and curing cancers.

Tickets can be bought from www.clairefest.org – they cost £10 for adults, £5 for children, and under-fives go free. Family tickets are also available.

Volunteers and sponsors are both needed for the event. Contact info@clairefest.org for more information.