The stage is up, performers have practised and the food stalls are on standby as a new music festival readies to kick-off in a Norfolk Town.

Diss Mercury: The Blockheads will be headlining Gig in the Park in Diss. Picture: Paul HewittThe Blockheads will be headlining Gig in the Park in Diss. Picture: Paul Hewitt (Image: Archant)

Diss' Gig in the Park is set for three days of non-stop music with more than 40 bands and DJs performing from Friday, July 27 until Sunday, July 29 across two stages.

The festival has been organised by the people behind the Wow and Maui Waui festivals, and is supported by the Diss Town Team and Diss Town Council.

Organiser Geoff Dixon, said: 'It's all about a weekend of family fun with fabulous music.

'Our dearest hope is that a significant benefit of the weekend is that it brings economic value in to Diss.'

Diss Mercury: The stage being setup. Picture: Julie Bunting DixonThe stage being setup. Picture: Julie Bunting Dixon (Image: Archant)

The festival is taking place in the heart of Diss, in Diss Park, next to the Mere and Mr Dixon hopes that festival goers will take advantage of the location and experience more of what the town has to offer.

He added: 'We want lots of people to come here and they can walk out and go down Mere Street, to cafes and pubs and see how nice Diss is and then come back.

'If we achieve that it will be absolutely fabulous.'

Part of the event includes a Diss's Got Talent show for under-16s. Taking place on the Friday which is also Norfolk Day.

Diss Mercury: The stage being setup. Picture: Julie Bunting DixonThe stage being setup. Picture: Julie Bunting Dixon (Image: Archant)

The talent competition aims to give a platform to young singers, dancers and performers who might just be the area's next undiscovered star.

Mr Dixon said: 'We can't promise that the winner is going to be on the stage at Latitude, but the last winner of the WOW talent show was.

'If we can help to give someone a leg up in terms of an entertainment career then that's what it's about.'

As well as the amazing acts there is a host of food stalls from across the county and bars stocking festival goers favourite tipples.

Tickets are available on the day or through the Gig in the Park website. Camping is not on offer at the site but there are a number of sites located near to the festival.

Go to www.gig-in-the-park.co.uk for more information.

Who will be performing?

For the first year of Diss Gig in the Park the organisers have gone all out to booking some of the finest bands and acts that the country has to offer.

The biggest of these being The Blockheads - famously the band behind 1970s singer Ian Dury.

Although Ian Dury died in 2000 the band are still going strong touring around the country with new frontman Derek 'the Draw' Hussey.

Joining them on the Saturday are Nebula Sun, who recently feature for BBC Music Introducing Norfolk, and The Downsetters, one of France's top reggae bands.

Another name that many will remember is Doctor and the Medics who reached the top of the charts with their rendition of Spirit in the Sky.

They will be performing on Sunday along with Cromer rock band Fat N Furious and rock and blues band Petty Thieves.

With more than 40 acts and DJs across the three days there is plenty on offer for any music fan.

Diss youngsters given their chance to shine

Youngsters from Diss are being given the special opportunity to perform on the big stage as part of Diss's Got Talent.

From 15 entries, seven lucky youngsters will be performing over the weekend.

Benji Filmer - Piano

Michael kearney - Keys and Drums

Hannah Birtwell - Singer

Harry Smith - Magician

Lily Rose Grainge - Singer

Hunters Chicken - Dance

Tehya Johnson - Singer and Guitar

Organiser Geoff Dixon said: 'They are all good performers and deserve congratulations for entering and we hope that they enjoy their opportunity to shine.

'The winner from the competition we ran last year, Noah Evans performed at Latitude this year so we know that entering and winning is worth it.'

The youngsters will be performing on the same stage as some of the country's biggest acts from the 1980s including The Blockheads and Doctor and the Medics.