Local musicians have been auditioning to play at the Dartford Festival and the response has been so good two further heats have been added.

Four bands are set to appear on the main stage at Central Park over Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17.

Now more chances to audition have been opened, at the Bull & Vic on Thursday, June 23 and Thursday, June 30.

The Community Stage will also return, with local dance and drama groups showcasing their work over both days.

Heavyweight Ska legends and 1980s pop band Bad Manners will headline this year’s festival.

They will join Punk princess Toyah Willcox for the free extravaganza.

Bad Manners formed in 1976 while at Woodberry Down comprehensive in Stoke Newington.

Within a few years they had become a household name, spending 111 weeks in the UK Charts between 1980 and 1983. The band had 12 hit singles including Lip Up Fatty, My Girl Lollipop and Special Brew.

Buster Bloodvessel still leads the band – following some original members leaving in 1986 – and he continues to play their classic hits to audiences around the world.

As well as their music career, Buster and the band have appeared in TV programmes including Top of the Pops, Cheggers Plays Pop and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

They played live at the Brit Awards in 1981 and starred in the 2 Tone hit movie Dance Craze with Madness and The Specials.

Bad Manners will headline on the Sunday, with award-winning rock legend, actress and composer, Toyah Willcox performing on the Saturday.

Her career spans nearly 40 years and during that time she has amassed 13 top 40 singles, recorded 20 albums, written two books, appeared in more than 40 stage plays and acted in 15 feature films.

She has also presented several TV programmes including Watchdog and Songs of Praise.

Also appearing on the Saturday are X Factor finalists 4th Impact – sisters Almira, Mylene, Irene and Celina – and David Bowie tribute act Paul Henderson and Aladdinsane.

On Sunday afternoon, the line-up also includes UK indie pop band The Hoosiers, who shot to fame with Worried about Ray.

Council Leader Jeremy Kite said: “Every year, we put on the sort of show that usually attracts a high ticket price and then we make it free.”