CUMBRIAN folk and blues veteran Chris James will be performing a headline show in the Lake District this month.

The festival regular and former British Blues Awards nominee heads to Water Yeat Village Hall, near Coniston, on Friday January 20.

James, from Carlisle, has more than 30 years of live shows under his belt, playing slide and fingerpicking blues and original songs. He has appeared at many of the major national blues festivals, such as Burnley, Colne, Dundee, Carlisle, Maryport and Durham.

Along the way he has also opened for many of the major names on the circuit, including John Mayall, Dr. Feelgood, Earl Thomas and Nine Below Zero, and was nominated in the acoustic category of the British Blues Awards in 2012.

He won through to the final of the New Brunswick Battle of the Blues in London two years running, and also reached the final as one half of a duo with harmonica-player Martin Fletcher.

At Water Yeat, he draws inspiration from the great blues players of the past, such as Robert Johnston, Reverend Gary Davis and Big Bill Broonzy, to deliver an evening of authentic, raw, acoustic instrumentals and songs.

The show will feature cabaret-style seating, and as the venue has no bar, guests can bring their own alcohol.

Tickets are available on the door, or in advance from www.wegottickets.com/wateryeatvillagehall