EXCITEMENT is mounting as the countdown begins for this year’s Mello Festival, which is set to thrill thousands of music lovers at the The Severn End Country Estate in Hanley Castle, from May 24 to May 26.

And to double the festival fever excitement, the Worcester News has joined forces with Mello, for another great fun competition.

Up for grabs, for one lucky winner, is a family ticket worth £250.

Yes, it’s really true - there are only days to go until the Mello Festival 2019 gets going - and how! - with the beautiful Malvern Hills as an unforgettable backdrop.

A spokesman said: “The fourth annual Mello Festival will play host to music from the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club, The Brand New Heavies, Goldie Lookin Chain, Incognito, The Wonder Stuff, EMF, Don Letts, Stereo MC’s and many more fantastic bands on the May Bank Holiday Weekend.”

The spokesman added: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the truly awesome Incognito to the festival! They will be bringing their full formation of fifteen musicians along to Mello and you’ll be treated to classic hits including, Always There, Still a Friend of Mine, Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing”, Nights Over Egypt, and many, many more!”

The Wonder Stuff are another name to the conjured with.

The spokesman said: “This West Midlands-based band gained a significant following in the late 1980s with two critically acclaimed albums. Mainstream chart success followed with their third album in 1991, which included the hits ‘The Size of a Cow’, and ‘Dizzy’ performed with Vic Reeves. The band split in 1994, but after a seven year sabbatical, they reformed.”

The Brand New Heavies will be another big attraction.

The spokesman said: “Early hits Never Stop and Dream Come True were original chunks of organic funk that earned the band a reputation as a formidable live act.”

Organisers say the signing of EMF for the festival is “unbelievable”, the name of their mega debut single in 1990.

“The three day festival will see fans spoilt for choice, with DJ’s, comedy, spoken word, workshops, children’s entertainment and a variety of other acts during the weekend, across five undercover stages.

“This stunning festival will look up at the Malvern Hills and, with a selection of camping options, from glamping to quiet areas, the stunning setting is the perfect location for an festival to remember.”

For a chance to win the family ticket, answer the following question:

What was the title of EMF’s debut single of 1990?

Entries should be sent to the Worcester News no later than Wednesday May 22 by emailing the answer to: competitions@worcesternews.co.uk

The phrase “Mello2” should be in the email’s heading.

Entries can also be by post, of course, and these should be sent to the Entertainments Editor, Gary Bills-Geddes, at The Worcester News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.

The winner will be the first name drawn from a hat, and our decision will be final.