SQUEEZE’S Chris Difford has been announced as the latest act to be headlining at the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.

The popular family-friendly music event is takes place on the A351 (Valley Road) between Corfe Castle and Swanage, from August 27 to 30.

Chris has penned such Squeeze classics as Up The Junction, Labelled With Love, Tempted and Cool For Cats.

Catherine Burke who curates the award-winning event with husband Paul, said: “We just kept hearing Chris’s name mentioned in reverential terms by some of the best young songwriters who played at our folk club.

“Each of them had been to his songwriting workshops or university sessions. So we contacted him and he came and played a fabulous, very laid-back concert at Centre Stage in Bournemouth several years ago.

“It will be wonderful to have him at the festival.”

A double Ivor Novello award-winning lyricist, Chris Difford shot to fame with Squeeze in the late 1970s writing some of the most enduring and best-loved songs of our time alongside friend and Squeeze co-founder Glen Tilbrook.

Chris has 13 Squeeze albums, three critically acclaimed solo albums, countless top 20 hits, 52 American tours, 50 UK tours and a variety of global tours under his belt.

He has also co-written with a host of musical greats such as Sir Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Lamont Dozier, Jools Holland and Paul Carrack.

Other headline acts revealed so far include Kathryn Tickell, Megson, Martha Tilston and the Scientists, Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin and the Moulettes.

Weekend tickets (Fri-Sun) include camping and are on sale now at just £80 (youth £40, children over three £10).

A limited number of festival day tickets will also be available.

For more details go to purbeckvalley folkfestival.co.uk or for tickets call 023 80 711818 or visit ticketsouth.co.uk.