STOCKTON Heath Festival organisers are ready to kick this year's event off with a bang after announcing two acts for its opening night comedy show.

All events for the festival, which will be held from June 29 to July 2, are now fully booked.

A comedy night will take place at the Slug and Lettuce, on Grappenhall Road, on the opening night – it will feature Dave Johns and Jo Caulfield.

Mr Johns has been a stand-up act for nearly 30 years but is best known for playing the title role in last year's Ken Loach film, I,Daniel Blake, which won a host of awards including a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Mrs Caulfield, who makes regular appearances on Have I Got News For You, Live At The Apollo and Radio 4, will also be making her way to the village.

One comedy act is still to be confirmed.

A charity auction will take place on the night, with proceeds to be donated to John Holt Cancer Support Foundation.

Organisers are also hoping to get more photographers involved this year.

Photography organiser Richard Bell said: "As it’s our tenth year, we have chosen the theme of 'happy birthday' for the 15s and under and 'Stockton Heath history' for those 16 and over."

The theme for the 'scarecrows' around the village initiative will be 'Harry Potter'.

Scarecrows will be judged by the public over the festival weekend.

There will be an additional prize for the 'best dressed window display', which will be decided by a panel of judges.

The festival will be held in memory of Tudor Pole, one of the festival founders, who died in January.

For further information visit stocktonheathfestival.co.uk