MUSIC lovers will be hopping on planes, trains, automobiles and boats next month as all roads lead to the Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival.

Festival-goers will be flying in from across the UK and Europe to Manchester and Liverpool airports over the Easter weekend between April 5 and 9.

Hundreds more will be arriving on train, with extra services being put on especially for the event.

Not only that, the area’s waterways are proving a popular route to the festival, with wristbands being snapped up at Swanley Marina and narrow boat berths in high demand at the Nantwich Canal Centre.

Now in its 16th year the festival began in 1997 as a one-off headline event featuring George Melly.

It now attracts more than 15,000 people each year and overruns the Cheshire market town in a dozen venues including a town hall, a museum, pubs, hotels and a 14th century church.

This year’s headline acts include jazz legend Dame Cleo Laine, crooner Tony Christie, singer songwriter Scott Matthews and jazz funk outfit James Taylor Quartet.

Other highlights include performances by Wilco Johnson, Ska pioneers The Beat, blues band The Spikedrivers, Katy Shotter, Zoot Serious and The Cavern Beatles.

Phillip Martin, the organiser of the festival, said: “I was bowled over when I was contacted by the local canal centres for wristbands for this year’s festival.

“It is amazing that we have people this year flying from all parts of the UK and Europe and the railways are putting on extra trains for the Sunday.

“Rick Johnson who runs the café and restaurant at Nantwich Canal Centre has been flooded with enquiries for wristbands as has the new Swanley Marina.

“I would not be surprised to see people coming in coach and horses next!”

Rick said: “There have been so many enquiries from among the boating community, I’m sure it will be packed down here over the weekend.

“The race is on now to get moorings for the event.

“There really is a lot of demand for berths close to the town centre over the weekend, so that people don’t have to face a long walk into town.”

For more details, tickets and wristbands visit nantwichjazz.com.