Folkk singer Jim Causley, the Devon folk singer and festival favourite, is to be the new patron of Lyme Folk Weekend, which will run this year from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23.

Described as ‘one of the finest singers in the country’, Jim Causley is the local boy made good and a rising star in the national folk firmament – but still has his feet planted firmly in the South West.

His great uncle was Lyme’s last station-master and he still has family living in and around the town and so regularly visits the area.

Jim came to national prominence with his last album Cypress Well.

He said: “I’ve played the festival two years running and I really liked its intimate, friendly feel and its unbeatable setting.

“The Marine Theatre is one of the best seaside theatres in the country.”

The organisers hope that Jim will bring a uniquely local flavour to this year’s festival as he prepares to host a pre-festival ‘taster’, Lyme Folk Revisited, on Saturday, March 14 at the Marine Theatre which will showcase some hand-picked local talent as well as his own material.

The line-up for the Lyme Folk Revisited event will include acts who thrilled audiences at last summer’s festival and who now take centre stage for an evening of non-stop performances.

From up and coming acoustic duo Morgan and Knapp, Lyme-based brother and sister act, Six Days, singer-songwriter Lee Rahn, to the amazing family trio Aimée.

Tickets are available from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre.