A PUNK legend and soulman will headline this year’s Basfest.

Former Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell and soul musician Jimmy James will top the bill in Basildon’s Gloucester Park on July 4 and 5.

Also entertaining the crowds will be dance duo Signature, who have appeared at several events in the town since they finished as runners-up in last year’s Britain’s Got Talent competition.

Formerly a blues musician, Mr Cornwell rose to fame in the 1970s as vocalist and guitarist with Stranglers, who had many top ten hits, including Golden Brown and No More Heroes.

After 16 years and 32 UK chart entries, London-born Mr Cornwell left the band to pursue a solo career.

He has released about ten solo albums and will play the main stage on the Saturday.

Also lined up for the festival is Jamaican-born Mr James, who moved to the UK with his group the Vagabonds in 1964.

The group, who have supported acts including the Who, Rod Stewart and the Rolling Stones, will play the main stage on Sunday.

Signature are Essex-born Suleman Mirza, a 30-year-old trainee lawyer, and 35-year-old Madhu Singh, from Hayes in Middlesex. They will perform on the community stage on the Sunday.

Joining them will be 25 children who won the chance to perform with them at open auditions held at the Towngate Theatre, in St Martin’s Square.

Other attractions at the event include the Boom Room competition for local DJs, who will perform live for the chance to play a set at Basildon’s Liquid nightclub.

For more information on the festival’s line-up, visit www.basildon.gov.uk/basfest