TWO TONE legends The Beat will join folk singers Billy Bragg and Seth Lakeman in providing the soundtrack for this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival.

It may be not until July but organisers at the South West TUC are busy preparing for the three-day festival which commemorates the six Dorset farmworkers who were transported to Australia in 1834 for forming a trade union.

While the main rally day on the Sunday, which includes the march, is free there are events going on throughout the weekend and tickets for these go on sale on April 1.

As ever there will be an electric range of music including making a welcome return, singer-songwriter Billy Bragg who lives in Dorset. He will be playing on the Sunday along with two tone ska revival band The Beat, whose hits include Mirror in the Bathroom and Can’t Get Used to Losing You. Also on the bill are folk singers Seth Lakeman and Naomi Bedford, along with socialist R & B favourites Thee Faction.

Jonny and The Baptists, Dana Immanuel and Irish punks Neck play in the marquee on Saturday night, with all-female indie ban The Tuts, Chris T-T and the Hoodrats and Curtls Eller's American Circus performing on Friday night.

Speakers on the Sunday include TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady, TUC president Leslie Manasseh, Angela Eagle MP and Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner.

Organiser Nigel Costley said: “With the General Election in the balance, we’re keeping our power dry over the debates but, whoever’s in power come May, we’ll have our usual range of top class speakers, discussing issues relevant to working people.

“We’re encouraging people to check our website for up-to-date information about the speakers as and when we add them.”

The festival runs from July 17-19.

More details from tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk