THE Shed will be free-wheeling next weekend when it leaves the confines of Brawby Village Hall to stage a free open-air music festival.

The name of the event is The Shed Comes to Town!, the occasion is the Shed's 11th Birthday Party and the venue is the Market Place, Malton. No tickets or booking are required for events on June 7 and 8.

Barnsley FC poet in residence and Radio 3 presenter Ian McMillan will be acting as compere, and on Saturday the action kicks off at 3pm and runs until 10.30pm.

Music comes from the likes of the Joe Townsend Band, who claim to play wild music inspired by the Marches of Transylvania and the Appalachian Mountains, and Hank Wangford and the Lost Cowboys. Hank has inspired Billy Bragg and The The, among others.

The prolific Billy Jenkins and the Blues Collective will be playing on Saturday, as well as the Snake Davis Band, featuring the saxophonist who has played with music legends such as James Brown and Smokey Robinson.

Sunday's festival takes place between 12 noon and 3pm, with performances from the David Gordon Trio, Joe Townsend Band and Annie Whitehead Band.

The festival is sponsored by hand knitting yarn spinners Sirdar and supported by the Malton and Norton Town Centre management. It will incorporate Spinkfest on the Saturday.

This festival within a festival sees Mike Spink, left, introducing up-and-coming Ryedale bands including Chu Ma Shu, Meyssan, Last To Leave, Jonny Moped and Lauren Thackray.

It is hoped that The Shed Comes to Town! will develop into an annual event. For more information visit www.theshed.co.uk/gigsnow.html

For safety reasons the organisers have asked visitors not to bring glasses or glass bottles into Malton Market Place.

Updated: 10:14 Friday, May 30, 2003