Organisers of the annual Nantwich Roots Festival have announced the line-up for this year's event, including chart topper Elles Bailey and folk legends, The Unthanks.

But Sandbach-educated festival director, Nigel Stonier, has revealed that the real roots of the successful event which takes place in May actually belong in Sandbach.

Nigel is a songwriter/producer whose work has been covered by artists ranging from Sam Smith to The Waterboys. He went to Sandbach School and started his musical career here.

Now a Nantwich resident, in the 90s he was part of the team behind the fondly remembered Sandbach Arts Festival which in its heyday, between '94 and '97, had names such as Jools Holland and John Martyn coming to play in Sandbach.

Nigel told Nub News: "I have great memories. The event was very popular in Sandbach and drew big crowds. 

Nigel Stonier, festival director. (Photo: Nigel Stonier)

"With hindsight the festival probably ended prematurely. None of us were experienced promoters and some wrong decisions were probably made."

However Stonier, alongside his work as a musician, now runs two festivals in Nantwich and tickets for this year's Nantwich Roots Festival, from 12 May to 17 May are on sale.

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Stars taking part include Elles Bailey, currently in the top 20 albums chart and often compared to Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt who brings her five piece band to Nantwich Civic Hall on Saturday, 16 May.

A treat for lovers of the spoken word, Manchester poet, Mike Garry, performs his work joined by the Cassia String Quartet in the beautiful setting of St Mary's Church on Wednesday, 13 May.

Blues fans also get a chance to witness 21-year-old wonderkind guitarist, Toby Lee, who plays Nantwich Town Football Club with his band on Thursday 14 May.

Legendary UK folk band, The Unthanks play Nantwich Civic Hall on Friday 15 May with singer-songwriter and guitarist, Newton Faulkner, rounding off the event at Nantwich Civic Hall on Sunday 17 May.

Nigel added: "These events are always popular, people travel from all over the UK and beyond,  and it's great to see familiar faces from the Sandbach days regularly attending them."

Tickets are available from here.