By Gillian Ellison

Last updated at 12:21, Friday, 15 March 2013

X-Factor judge Louis Walsh will take the stage at a top festival this summer.

Louis Walsh

Walsh will be in Whitehaven for the town’s popular festival on June 22 when he will greet crowds on the harbourside.

Organiser Gerard Richardson is delighted that Walsh will be back in the town after first appearing at the festival in 2011.

Mr Richardson said: “Other than Dynamo, Louis is probably the single most popular celebrity we have ever brought to the festival. When you get someone that famous who comes for the first time, is instantly taken with the place and the people – staying far longer than he needed to – and then wants to return, I’m thrilled.”

In addition to the latest celebrity being signed up, this year’s event will host four tall ships and four Archer class squadron patrol craft in the harbour – the most there has ever been at once.

The tall ships will include The Pelican, a 45-metre sail training vessel from Weymouth, Dorset, which is coming to the festival for the first time, as is the Johanna Lucretia, built in 1945 in Ghent, Belgium. The other two have been before – the Bessie Ellen and Ruth. Also this year there will be a giant continental market – with Whitehaven Festival only one of four dates it is doing so far this year.

Plus there will be a small Italian market and the Made in Cumbria stalls – a total of 160 food stalls.

The Sunday afternoon charity gig (June 23) will feature Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers. It takes place in the harbourside arena and will raise money for armed forces and children’s charities. It promises to be a fun afternoon with Titan the Robot and street theatre also going into the arena.

The event will be planned to ensure that people don’t miss out on other activities such as the air shows.

First published at 12:13, Friday, 15 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk