THE ultimate party festival, Beat-Herder, which turns the sleepy Ribble Valley into a weekend rave every summer has revealed some of the big names who will be heading to event this year.

Dance legends Orbital will be joined by the likes of Soulwax, Django Django and Patrick Topping for the 12th year of the festival which will run from Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July 15.

Over 20 stages will be created at the home of the event at Dockbar Farm near Sawley.

Major names scheduled to appear on the main stage are one of the original pioneers of jungle, Congo Natty and The Rezistance, former member of the all female punk/reggae band The Slits, Hollie Cook and electronic afro-funk stalwarts, Ibibio Sound Machine.

On the Tall Trees stage, a host of world class DJs will join Patrick Topping including Denis Sulta, BBC Radio 1 dance music authority Monki, Artwork and Sam Divine.

The aptly named Fortress, a monstrous construction of corrugated iron, is the refuge of Beat-Herder’s most hardcore revellers. Featuring fire-spewing turrets, the Fortress will host tough funk and hard grooves throughout the festival.

Among those taking part will be Ben Sims, Erol Alkan; trailblazing techno from Blueprint label founder James Ruskin and Deekline.

Other stages include The Ring which will reflect the Ribble Valley’s mystic heritage. This year, the Ring pays homage to John Pratt - a mysterious local enigma who was said to possess the strength of ten men It will be100 feet in diameter and accessed via a huge Stonehenge-style entrance,

The split-level arena, The Factory, will present a futuristic version of New York’s famous Studio 54.

Part of the appeal of Beat-Herder are the various stages and installations which this year will include a hidden swimming pool, a tattoo parlour and chapel and a fully-functioning working men’s club. A network of tunnels and mysterious tracks will lead revellers to different parts of the site.

Among a host of other artists heading into the countryside are Manchester girl band Pins, Leeds band Hookworms, Dreadzone, a DJ set from Foals and David Rodigan.

Beat-Herder has grown from being a free DIY event in 1998 to becoming one of the country’s leading independent festivals.

For further details and tickets, contact www.beatherder.co.uk