AN exciting bill, featuring the best in contemporary folk and roots music, has been announced by Cambridge Folk Festival as it moves forward into its 42nd year. Many unique performances at this year s festival will include a rare and exclusive UK festival

AN exciting bill, featuring the best in contemporary folk and roots music, has been announced by Cambridge Folk Festival as it moves forward into its 42nd year.

Many unique performances at this year's festival will include a rare and exclusive UK festival appearance from the legendary Emmylou Harris, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary country music.

And there will be the return of Ireland's most influential musical ambassadors The Chieftains, who last played the festival in 1985.

The four-day festival, in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, on the outskirts of Cambridge, opens on Thursday July 27.

Emmylou Harris will headline the final session on the Sunday. Her appearance will come after completion of a short tour with Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler. The two have a joint CD released this week

Also appearing on the Sunday will be Eddi Reader, whose performance also coincides with the release of a new album, the internationally renowned Celtic traditional band Capercaillie, featuring the voice of Karen Matheson, plus a further 13 acts.

Heading the show on the Saturday will be The Chieftains, recipients of a Lifetime Achievement Award in the at this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, supported by Cerys Matthews, who will be previewing material from a forthcoming album, Capercaillie and 15 other acts..

A total of 40 acts will appear at the festival. They will be on stage from 6-10pm on the opening day, 1-11.30pm on Friday, noon-11.30pm on Saturday, and noon-11pm on Sunday.

There will be workshops and campsite entertainment before the start of every day's programme.

A full list of all the acts and the days they will be playing can be found on the official festival website, www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk.

Tickets for the full festival (not including camping) cost £86. Day ticket prices are: Friday £29, Saturday £40 and Sunday £40. Camping (with a full festival ticket only) costs £26 for a two/three-berth tent.

Booking opens on Sunday April 30 01223 357851. For information ring 01223 - 475245.