The first acts for next year's Ramblin' Man Fair have been announced.

The festival will be held for a fourth year on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1, 2018 in Mote Park, Maidstone.

The festival will move from its traditional end of July slot earlier in the year and reverts to weekend dates.

After a successful three-day festival last year, organisers Spirit of Rock have announced UK exclusive sets by Steve Earle & The Dukes, Halestorm, Blackberry Smoke and Sons Of Apollo.

Halestorm, Blackberry Smoke and Sons of Apollo play the main stage while Steve Earle & The Dukes will headline the Country Stage.

With a career spanning more than 40 years, Steve Earle is a songwriter and performer, as well as an actor, author, poet and playwright, and has had his songs recorded by the likes of Johnny Cash. Since 1974 he has released 16 studio albums, and will play from his iconic album Copperhead Road at the fair.

Halestorm are renowned for their live shows, fronted by Lzzy Hale. The band's single Live Bites (So Do I) in 2013 won a Grammy. Lzzy said: "We are so excited to be performing at the Ramblin' Man Fair for the first time. We love playing for our fans in the UK and look forward to making some new friends too. We are ready to melt faces."

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Blackberry Smoke take to the main stage with a legion of fans behind them. Their fifth studio album, Like An Arrow, released in 2016 went to No.1 in the UK Rock and Independent Charts. They have toured with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top.

American prog metal supergroup Sons of Apollo formed this year, made up of Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Derek Sherinian, Jeff Scott Soto and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, and released their debut album, Psychotic Symphony last month.

Tickets are on sale now. They cost £256 for VIP Saturday and Sunday, £156 for general admission also Saturday and Sunday and camping starts at £49. To book visit ramblinmanfair18.eventbrite.co.uk