BANISH those January blues with a different sort of blues.

Every year, over the last weekend in January, in that post-Christmas malaise, a remarkable music festival takes place at Butlins, Skegness – The Great British Rock And Blues Festival.

This year, the festival plays host to a rare UK performance by Woodstock Festival veterans Ten Years After, still featuring three of that classic line-up, Chick Churchill, Ric Lee and Leo Lyons, who are joined by guitarist Joe Gooch.

Fast gaining an impressive reputation on the music lover's festival circuit and as hotly anticipated by the artists as the fans – who regularly travel the length and breadth of the UK to see them – the weekend has previously hosted an incredible range of some of the rock and blues scene's most exciting and influential artists, alongside fiery new blood, too.

Last year was no exception and once again, the festival presents the hugely successful format of separate blues and rock stages.

The rock stage line-up for the weekend includes: Argent, still glowing from the phenomenal response to their High Voltage 2010 performance and UK dates; The Krissy Matthews Band; a rare UK outing for Roger Chapman; hot US bluesers Virgil & The Accelerators; and a welcome return for the phenomenal Deborah Bonham, whose new Nashville-mixed album is due out soon.

Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash also make a much welcome return to the festival, along with Skinny Molly. Crucified Barbara bring things to a close on the rock stage.

On the blues stage, blues royalty performs in Lincolnshire in the form of Mud Morganfield – the eldest son of Muddy Waters. The John Verity Band are opening proceedings, followed by the legends that are Ten Years After, then one of the hottest properties on the blues circuit, Chantel McGregor.

The festival's line-up continues into Saturday lunchtime with: Steve Rodgers, an opener for Bad Company on their most recent tour of Japan; Stealer, featuring Paul Wright, followed by The Stumble.

The Steve Gibbons Band, Animals And Friends and the ever-reliable Larry Miller all guarantee a phenomenal night.

Festival favourites Bowden And Williamson are a very welcome return to the festival, this time in their new band format; harmonica hero Giles Robson and The Dirty Aces look to reprise their crowd-pleasing Colne set, and Band Of Friends look to emulate their tumultuous ovation at Colne with Gallagher-men Gerry McEvoy and Ted McKenna joined by Marcel Sherpenzeel to once again celebrate the music Gerry and Ted shared with Rory on stage and album.

The festival runs from Friday to Sunday. To book, visit www.bigweekends.com/rockandblues, or call 0845 070 4750 to secure your place. Butlins reserves the right to change the entertainment programme.