A Sandbach business owner and a friend are planning to hit all the right notes after taking over the running and organisation of Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival.

Helen Ireland, who runs Helen's Emporium in Congleton Road, has teamed up with Claire Armstrong to run the popular annual event.

The annual three-day event takes to the stage next weekend (June 16th – 18th) and already more than 2,500 tickets have been sold.

Festival organisers, Helen Ireland (left) and Claire Armstrong (Photo: Helen Ireland)

Helen, who lives in Congleton but grew up in Middlewich, remembers the folk and boat festival from her childhood.

The event pays tribute to the town's famous canals – the Trent & Mersey canal and the Shropshire Union Canal – and its array of canal-side pubs.

This year, it features an impressive line-up of tribute bands and others including UK Bjorn, an Abba tribute band, as well as a Pet Shop Boys tribute and quaint town centre.

Sandbach Rock Choir are appearing at the festival on the Sunday (June 18th).

"When I heard it might not go ahead this year I stepped in with Claire," said Helen who already has big plans for next year's festival.

"We're only looking to break even or make a small profit this year and then put it all back into building on next year's festival.

(Image: Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival)

"We've both worked as volunteers for the folk and boat festival for years so we know how it works and what we needed to do.

"We bought the business name and we plan to build on it year on year. We've stripped it right back and are running it as a community event," said Helen.

"We've got tribute bands and lots of up-and-coming talent appearing over the three days as well as something for children and young people."

This year's festival, which opens on Friday, June 16th will include 19 floating traders on the canal as well as 14 bands.

The event draws people from all over the area as well as other parts of South Cheshire.

There is a fairground on the former Jack's supermarket car park in Middlewich as well as events dotted across the town.

Sunday's line-up for Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival (Photo: Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival)

Helen has drawn on her business experience to help her and Claire organise the folk and boat festival.

As well as this, she is also a Body Shop at Home consultant but has always had a passion for music and live events.

"We're hoping as many people will come along and enjoy this year's festival," she said. "As a child I always went couldn't see it disappear.

"The take-up for tickets so far has been good. We're just hoping for good weather so everyone can come and enjoy what's on offer."

More details about the music line-up, events and tickets during the three days are available from the event's website page here and their Facebook site here