Folk singing siblings get holiday chance

Singing siblings Alan and Lynne Hempton won a series of heats organised by Folk North West magazine and Enjoy Travel to earn the trip to the Algarve this month.

While there which they will take part, along with other UK folk entries, in the final of the Costa del Folk new talent competition.

The contest has a prize of £1,000 as well as a professionally recorded CD and the opportunity to showcase at folk festivals around the UK next year.

The Costa del Folk festival is held every year with a guest list which includes the top names in UK folk music including Show of Hands and Seth Lakeman.

Alan said: “It’s a great opportunity to take our songs to a wider audience.”

The duo, both in their early 30s, have been playing together since childhood.

Both sing and write their own material, as well as performing songs in a modern and bluegrass style.

Alan plays guitar and Lynne plays tenor and five-string banjo as well as other instruments.

They are regular performers at folk gigs around the North West and further afield.

Alan combines his music with his busy job as head chef at The Borough Restaurant, Lancaster.

Lynne is a freelance translator whose work takes her all over Europe.