PREPARE for belly-laughs as comedian Bill Bailey joins a Dorset festival line-up.

Now in its 25th year, the Larmer Tree Festival near Salisbury is looking to celebrate in style with a host of big-name acts.

Renowned for his sell-out comedy tours, acting, and celebrity spots on popular panel shows including QI, Have I Got News For You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and as comedy favourite Manny in Black Books, Bill Bailey will be bringing his wit, humour and musical talents to Dorset this July.

The festival runs from July 15-19 and Bill Bailey will be drawing the proceedings to a close on the Sunday night.

Speaking about his upcoming Dorset appearance, he said: “I’ve been a fan of festivals for a long time and always enjoy their unique atmosphere – so I’m delighted to be able to celebrate Larmer Tree’s 25th anniversary with them.”

Bill Bailey will join Jimmy Cliff, Raghu Dixit, Martin Carthy, CoCo and the Butterfields, and many others on the line-up for the Sunday.

Julia Safe, Festival Director, said: “Bill Bailey has always been top of my wish list ever since I started the comedy thread at Larmer Tree Festival in 2009.

“Every year something always seemed to get in the way, so you can imagine my absolute unbounded delight when finally he agreed to perform at our 25th festival.”

As well as comedy there is a bustling line-up of street performers, children’s entertainers and of course live music from the likes of The Levellers, Jimmy Cliff and Show of Hands.

After his hugely successful performance at last year’s festival, Welsh singing legend Tom Jones will be back for more fun this year.

Having has sold more than 100 million records during a career spanning more than 50 years, the green, green grass of Dorset has tempted him back to perform for the county’s crowds again. The Grammy and BRIT award winner and judge on The Voice UK will be performing classic songs as well as tracks from his latest critically acclaimed albums Spirit in the Room and Praise and Blame.

Last year, from the opening riff of Burning Hell, Tom had the audience jumping and singing along while he worked through works from his recent albums, and of course all the classics including a swing version of Sex Bomb and reworked versions of Delilah, Green, Green Grass of Home and It’s Not Unusual.

Clearly he had as much fun as the sold-out crowd, he said: “The energy of the crowd and unique atmosphere of Larmer Tree Festival in 2014 was wonderful. It’s a great pleasure to be returning for the festival’s 25th anniversary and to perform on the opening night once again.”

For more information about the festival visit larmertreefestival.co.uk.