TWO pre-Sidmouth FolkWeek events have been announced as a warm-up to the main festival.

TWO pre-Sidmouth FolkWeek events have been announced as a warm-up to the main festival.

John Shuttleworth and The Temperance Seven will be performing in the town in the two days leading up to this year's seven-day musical event.

Joan Crump, artistic director of Sidmouth FolkWeek, which is promoting the concerts, said told the Herald: "These two concerts will attract a wide cross section of residents in East Devon and beyond, as well as visitors and holiday-makers before FolkWeek itself gets off the ground."

John Shuttleworth, star of the popular BBC Radio 4 series 'The Shuttleworths' and BBC TV's '500 Bus Stops', will bring his hilarious songs and deadpan wisdom to the Ham Concert Marquee on Thursday, July 29.

He has achieved a devout following with such songs as Pigeons in Flight, I Can't Go Back to Savoury Now and Eggs and Gammon.

The Temperance Seven will fill the Ham Marquee with their famous syncopated jazz rhythms and legendary humour on Friday, July 30 at 2pm.

They achieved international fame with such hit singles as Home In Pasadena and You, You're Driving me Crazy.

Joan added: "With Pam Ayres in 2009, we really tried to cater for a local audience, and these two events are just the same.

"As with Pam, we are anticipating bumper audiences. Both John Shuttleworth and The Temperance Seven are seasoned and well-loved performers who always deliver a great show."

Tickets for both concerts, which are separate from FolkWeek tickets, will be available from Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre from Tuesday, June 1. Tickets can be booked by ringing (01395) 578627, or bought online at www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk.

Discount ticket prices (�15 for John Shuttleworth and �12 for The Temperance Seven) are available until July 25.