MELANIE C will headline a party in the park as up to 20,000 visitors embrace the great outdoors.

The former Spice Girl will take to the stage as part of the music line-up of Keswick Mountain Festival on Saturday night.

She will is part of a line-up in Crow Park that also includes legendary bassist and songwriter Peter Hook, who will appear on Friday with his band The Light.

He's expected showcasing seminal tracks from the back catalogue of Joy Division and New Order, two of the UK’s best-loved bands.

Live music performances are one part of the mix at the festival, which supporters are hopeful will be a major money-spinner for the town.

The event has grow in stature on the outdoors scene over the past 12 years, growing to include music, sporting events, outdoor adventures, high-profile speakers, taster activities, exhibitor stands and camping.

Activities start on Friday and run through to Sunday.

Director Nicola Meadley said: "Once again, visitors to Keswick Mountain Festival will have the opportunity to hear from inspirational figures from the world of sport and the outdoors, who will no doubt leave audiences motivated to embark on their own adventures."

Elsewhere on the entertainment side, world record holders will add to a stellar line up of films in a schedlule.

It will be headlined by talks from two inspirational individuals – multiple World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington and round the world cycling phenomenon Mark Beaumont.

Each night will also feature a selection of films as part of the 2018 Ledlenser Trails In Motion Film Festival world tour, including world premieres.

Beaumont will take centre-stage on Friday. In 2008, he smashed the circumnavigation world record after cycling around the world in 194 days.

Last year, inspired by the classic Jules Verne adventure novel, he set out to complete the challenge again, this time in less than 80 days.

After pushing himself to the limit to cover an average of 240 miles per day, he completed his challenge last September in under 79 days.

He will share anecdotes from his latest record-breaking ride as well as revealing the inside story of some of the epic documentaries he has made, which have seen him visit more than 100 countries, as well as surviving a capsize in the mid-Atlantic.

Triathlete and four-time World Ironman Champion Wellington will take to the stage the following evening.

She will share a mind-blowing account of the many firsts in her sporting career, including her iconic journey to becoming a world champion.

A spokesman for the organising team said: "Keswick Mountain Festival is proud to work with four festival partners and many other sponsors, local businesses and tourism organisations to deliver an exciting and enjoyable visitor experience.

"At Keswick Mountain Festival for the first time this year will be the climbing, trail running, mountain biking and multi-mountain sports brand adidas TERREX, new sponsor of a series of 5K, 10K, 25K and 50K trail runs.

"Meanwhile, Jack Wolfskin is backing the festival's latest attraction - the Jack Wolfskin KMF 3 Peaks Challenge."

The festival team, meanwhile, is also working to boost its green credentials with the introduction of two drinking water refill points in the festival village.

These will be sponsored by steel drinkware brand Earthwell, for which Keswick Mountain Festival marks its official UK launch.

Launch day on Friday will - weather permitting - feature The Blacks Air Display at 7.45pm.

It will see the Aerosparx aerobatic stunt display team and Osprey skydiving team take to the skies above Derwentwater and Crow Park, with a dramatic display of formation flying and parachuting.

Also on launch day will be a talk by celebrated mountaineer Alan Hinkes about his remarkable achievements.

The festival will close with a huge equipment sale on Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday night, Melanie C will be supported by hit 1990s group The Farm and popular Blur tribute band Blurb, plus Mike Turnbull.

For more details, go to www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk.