Funk trio the Fun Lovin' Criminals will headline Lounge on the Farm festival, we can exclusively reveal.

The New York-based band were revealed as the bill toppers for this year's event, as the first line-up announcement was made this afternoon.

The group is responsible for hits including Scooby Snacks, Loco and King of New York.

They will bring their mix of live hip-hop to the boutique festival at Canterbury's Merton Farm, for one of their few UK dates this year.

Warming up for them will be Manchester music legend Peter Hook and his band The Light.

Having been a founding member of both Joy Division and New Order, Hooky’s position in guitar music history is set in stone.

Ahead of his US tour, he will be doing a set of his favourite tracks including Unknown Pleasures, Closer, Movement and Power Corruption and Lies.

Joining them on the line-up is DJ Yoda and the Trans-Siberian Marching Band.

Their unique live show combines Yoda’s trademark turntablist talents with the eccentric Balcan-brass style of the marching band.

Lounge staples the Dub Pistols will return for a seventh year, bringing a mixture of live dub and big beat to the event.

Other confirmed acts include jazz musician Courtney Pine, hip-hop outfit DJ Format and The Herbaliser and DJ legend Alfredo.

Up-and-coming acts including Coves and The Ramona Flowers will also take to the stage, along with local talent such as Coco and the Butterfields, The Intermission Project, High Tide and Native People.

The long-awaited line-up announcement was supposed to be made last month, but festival fans have been left on tenterhooks by delays caused by negotiations with agents.

Festival founder Sean Baker says: "Due to a late start in booking we're running a little behind on the announcement but rest assured we’ve been working hard putting together a great lineup and here it is."

The festival has been condensed from three days to one for its final year at Merton Farm, after the owner decided to focus more on farming than events.

Instead of the usual 10,000 tickets, just 2,500 are available for this year's event.

For the festival's 10th anniversary next year, organisers will have to find a new location - but they say it will definitely remain in Canterbury.

Mr Baker adds: "We are only releasing 2,500 tickets this year so it’s all about our closest festival friends and family joining us to say our goodbyes to Merton Farm with a big Lounge Originals party.

"We maintain our festival is more than just its line-up. It's about championing creative talent, its about having fun and its about being part of an amazing local scene and community.

"And this year’s event is a chance to say big thank you to all that have made it possible.

"As well as all the great bands we’ll still be delivering the same level of local and independent producers you’ve come to expect from Lounge on the Farm.

"We’ve won several awards in the past for food and drink and are committed to offering local traders the chance to be a part of our event."

More acts are due to be announced in the next few months, before the festival on Saturday, August 2.

For the full line-up and to buy tickets costing £55 each, visit www.ticketline.co.uk or www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk.