TICKETS are available for a new two-day music festival which will focus solely on East Anglian bands.

More than 40 bands have signed up to Homegrown, which is being held at the Suffolk Academy at Barrow over the weekend of August 31 and September 1.

Organisers aim to present the best of East Anglia’s signed and unsigned talent, with support from the region’s finest DJs, realistic food and drink prices and a massive field for campers.

The grassroots event is the brainchild of Suffolk Academy owner Glen Moulds, who wants to give acts in the region a platform to play in front of a big crowd.

He said the quality of the music coming out of East Anglia had “blown me away”.

Amelia Benion, who is also on the team along with Darran Gray, said: “The idea is people come and have a great weekend, but it’s also about mentoring the bands.”

Kevin King, from Abbey Fest music festival in Bury St Edmunds, and Bury-based musician and promoter Seymour Quigley are also on board. Miss Benion said 48 bands are now signed up, including Twisted Piglet, Lewis Mokler and Sam Kelly. Mr Moulds said Ed Sheeran, who hails from Framlingham, had been approached, but he is unable to make it. Organisers are expecting 3,000 music lovers to attend. For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.homegrownfest.co.uk Homegrown is supporting East Anglia Children’s Hospice (EACH) and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.