Ralph McTell and Midge Ure to appear at the Wirral International Guitar Festival

GARY Murphy, Karl Lornie and Alternative Radio join forces for one night next month to preview their new albums as part of Wirral's annual International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.

The Wirral trio of guitarist, singer/songwriter and duo will be joined by a number of special guests at New Brighton's Floral Pavilion on Thursday, November 18, as part of the borough's 16th annual celebration of the masters of the axe.

Others taking part in the two-week festival - it takes place from Tuesday, November 9 until Sunday, November 28 - are American guitarist Walter Trout (opening act), Woody Mann, Ralph McTell, Martin Taylor, French violin virtuoso Didier Lockwood, Spain's Eduardo Niebla, Esmond Selwyn, Gary Potter, Alison Smith, Nick Harper, Modjango, African guitarist Lucky Ranku accompanied by jazz singer Pinise Saul, Jackie Leven, Michael Weston King, Bert Jansch, American Catfish Keith and Elvis Presley's former guitarist, James Burton.

Former Ultravox frontman Midge Ure is also at Pacific Road Arts Centre on Monday, November 11. Looking back on his visit to the venue in May last year, Midge told me: "I had such a good time when I was last here. I performed in front of my kind of people - they were funny and they are witty."

There is also a tribute to Freddie Mercury and Queen from Floral Pavilion regulars GaGa, and turns from Dick Gaughan, Glenn Tilbrook, The Hamsters, Jim Mullen and the Dave Saul Quartet, Stan Yates, musicians from The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and many others . . .

Rob Smith, festival organiser, said: "We've brought together a magnificent feast of music this year, played by the cream of the world's guitarists. The zone stretches from the 16th Century to the present day and takes us from English music to Nigeria, South Africa and America with a host of international stars performing throughout November."

The Festival is being staged at various Wirral venues. Tickets for the Floral Pavilion shows are available from 639-4360. For a brochure with full details, ring Pacific Road box office on 647-0752 or visit: www.bestguitarfest.com

The Globe has teamed up with Festival organisers to give away one pair of tickets to see Nick Harper at Pacific Road on November 17, Bert Jansch (November 18), Jackie Leven and Michael Weston at Birkenhead Priory (November 18), Catfish Keith at Pacific Road (November 20), Dick Gaughan at Pacific Road (November 23), Lucky Ranku and Pinise Saul at Birkenhead Town Hall (November 26), and Lasoju at Pacific Road (November 28).

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:-

What was Freddie Mercury's real name and where was he born?

Send your answers to: Guitar Festival Contest, Wirral Globe, Globe House, Catherine Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 6HW. The closing date is Wednesday, November 10 and the first seven correct entries will each win a pair of tickets for one of the above seven shows. Please remember to include your name, contact address and daytime phone number and indicate which one of the seven you would like to see if you win.

Good luck!