Former Member of Parliament for Blackpool, Harold Elletson, has got his wellies at the ready this weekend.

But he's determined that the weather is going to be wonderful when he holds the first ever Festival of Music at his ancestral home, Parrox Hall, near Preesall, on Saturday, August 16.

He's managed to secure the services of Connie Lush, voted the UK's top female blues singer for five years running, along with local favourites The Houghton Weavers, and one of the North West's most promising jazz bands, The Laura Manship Trio, which features students from the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music.

And alongside them will be a top class selection of folk, jazz, blues and good old brass band music, mixing the best of local talent with performers from further afield.

Audiences can enjoy The Over Wyre Levee Stompers while Preston's Company of Voyces will sing a selection of classical songs and The Marton Gilbert and Sullivan Society will provide some rousing choruses and light opera.

And the evening will end in fine 'Last Night of the Proms' style as Over Wyre's award-winning Pilling Jubilee Silver Band takes to the stage.

Food and drink will be a cut above the average festival burger stall though – nearby gastro-pub the Cartford Inn will be laying on a barbecue of delicious local produce and a beer, wine and champagne bar.

And, for those who want a full spread, luxury picnic hampers made up by the pub can also be pre-ordered through festival organisers.

It's all the brainchild of the former MP – and he's praying the rainclouds are kind to him. He said: "Hopefully the weather will be better than it has been over the last few weeks!

"All we can do if it does rain is urge people to bring waterproof clothing, umbrellas – and diving gear! But hopefully the sun will be shining for us."

He believes the area needs an event like this. He says: "We thought it was time that Over Wyre had a good music festival and we think that Parrox Hall, which is one of the oldest houses in Lancashire, would be a great location.

"I want it to involve the local community and it's something I hope we can expand on in future. I think people really need this kind of opportunity to get together especially when you see what's happening in pubs with people not being able to smoke.

"There are one or two other people doing a certain type of music festival and one or two people have said to me that we should do one here.

"And particularly in the past, particularly before the Second World War, there used to be allsorts of events and galas and fetes at the Hall."

He threw himself into the organisation and says that, in some ways, it reminded him of his time as an MP. He says: "I'm not sure that the two things have anything in common.

"But certainly organising the thing has had the same kind of stress levels involved in being an MP. On the day, I'll be all over the place. I expect to be in about four places at once!"

He scored a coup in getting the acclaimed Connie Lush to sing. indeed, she agreed a long time ago after he saw her perform and urged her to come to Parrox Hall – when the idea of the festival was still merely a twinkle in his eye.

He says: "I have been thinking about it for some time in the back of my mind. I saw Connie some time ago in a jazz club down South – it may even have been while I was still an MP – and I spoke to her about it then.

"It was alway the case that if we did a music festival here, then we should invite her. She is from the North West herself, she's from Liverpool. We are really pleased to have her and we think she'll be great."

Parrox Hall is certainly is a unique setting. It has been lived in by Harold Elletson's ancestors for over 900 years, ever since the original Lord of the Manor of Preesall-with-Hackensall, Geoffrey the Crossbowman (Galfridus Arbalastarius), a Norman soldier, was installed by Prince John in 1189 and granted six carucates of land.

Harold himself is the 26th generation down from The Crossbowman. Most of the house dates from the early seventeenth century but a small part is much older.

The first known documentation of a house existing on the site is in 1456 but there was certainly a home there long before that.

Harold says: "It has a fantastic atmosphere – and it's been constantly inhabited by the same family since it was built which makes it even more special.

"It should make a fantastic setting for an afternoon and evening of great entertainment for people from the local area and beyond.

"If the weather is nice, it will be extremely pleasant. But I think people are used to the idea that a festival could involve getting a bit wet and we're British so we're used to it!"

* The Festival of Music takes place on August 16, from 2pm to 9pm, with gates opening at 12.30pm. Adult tickets are £20 while under 16s are £15 and under 10s are free. For more information, or to order a luxury hamper, call 01253 812209 or 01253 810749.