THE SEVENTH annual Yorkshire Cajun & Zydeco Festival is being held this weekend.

Taking place over the weekend of March 16 to 18, at the Milton Rooms, Malton, this year's Festival will, for the first time, include a Cajun Ceilidh for St Patrick's Day and a Vintage Dance.

The main Festival kicks off on Friday night with Charlie's Cajun band Acadian Strings on stage at 7pm, followed by Trio Hot Creole, a brand new line up featuring Chris Hall, Phil Underwood and Hazel Scott.

Saturday at the Festival is includes workshops, music session, a Mardi Gras parade with Rough Chowder, the Cajun Ceilidh and at 8.15pm Manchester band Cajun Specials make their Festival debut and for the first time in the UK, from Holland the VUIG band will close Saturday night.

Sunday has more workshops, music session, film show and in the afternoon as well as the Vintage dance. Festival favourites Bosco Beret are joined on stage at 2.45pm by the fiddle of Malton's own Nick Thompson, with Chris Hall's Double Shots closing the festival.

The Festival is again supporting the charity North Yorkshire Music Therapy,

For more information go to www.yorkshirecajun.com