MERCURY Music Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy is the latest addition to the line up for a festival in Dorset.

Badly Drawn Boy, aka singer-songwriter Damon Gough, will headline the Sunday night of this year’s Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, it has been announced.

The family-friendly festival takes place on August 24-27 at Purbeck Valley Farm near Corfe Castle.

Instantly recognisable with his trademark beard and bobble hat, Gough shot to fame in 2000 with his Mercury Music Award winning debut, The Hour Of Bewilderbeast.

His heartfelt lyrics also caught the attention of author Nick Hornby who commissioned the musician to write the soundtrack to the movie adaptation of his book, About a Boy, which starred Hugh Grant.

The 2002 film gave Badly Drawn Boy worldwide exposure and his songs continue to grace movie soundtracks.

His second album from the same year, Have You Fed The Fish?, contained Badly Drawn Boy's top ten single You Were Right, which received heavy radio airplay.

The intervening years saw a handful of well-received studio albums and soundtracks, with 2015 seeing a special UK tour to celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Hour of Bewilderbeast and the album played in its entirety.

Festival organiser Catherine Burke is over the moon that Badly Drawn Boy is making his Purbeck Valley Folk Festival debut.

She said: “It’s a real coup for us to get Damon on the bill. We always thought he’d be perfect for the Sunday solo slot.”

Catherine added: “He brings his raw lyrical power to Purbeck Valley, coupled with his Mancunian humour and charm. It also doubles the amount of Mercury Music Award Winners performing this year, as Ben Ottewell from Gomez won in 1998. It should be something special.”

Artists confirmed so far include singer-songwriter Ben Ottewell from Mercury Music Award winners Gomez, energetic Cornish band 3 Daft Monkeys and Dorset favourites The Ben Waters Band.

More major acts will be revealed over the coming months.

The festival champions local music, traditional song-writing and originality and is a big draw for music lovers of all ages.

There’s highly-rated new talent from Blue Rose Code, a top bill of sizzling American music (including Flats & Sharps), inspired folk music from Gadarene, Emily Barker, Jess Morgan Trio and the triumphant return to the festival for Moscow Drug Club.

Surrounded by spectacular views of Corfe Castle, accessible camping and delicious food, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is just as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the ears.

Running over the August Bank Holiday weekend, revellers will be treated a host of other favourite attractions including children's entertainers, storytellers, craft workshops, music workshops, song sessions, cinema, poetry, Purbeck Rising and open mics.

Weekend tickets (Thurs-Sun) include free camping and are on sale now for £110 (youth £50, children over three £30).

For more information see www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk