THE Blockheads are to replace The Magic Numbers as the Friday headliners at October's Musicport Festival in Whitby after a scheduling conflict led to the Hanwell band's withdrawal.

Ian Dury's former backing group will be in action on October 21 in the Whitby Pavilion, West Cliff, performing with a line-up of singer Derek ‘The Draw’ Hussey and original members Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher, augmented by drummer John Roberts on drums and a rolling line up of saxophonists drawn from Gilad Atzmon, Terry Edwards and Dave Lewis.

The Blockheads began life behind Ian Dury on the Stiff record label's legendary 1977 tour and are rarely off the road to this day. Their latest studio album, Same Horse Different Jockey, was released on 35th anniversary of Dury's chart-topping single Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.

Alongside new material, the Musicport audience can expect to hear that single plus Wake Up And Make Love With Me, Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 3), What A Waste, Clever Trever and Sweet Gene Vincent.

The October 21 line-up, from 5pm to 2am, includes The Blockheads; Martin Taylor; Black Umfolosi, from Zimbabwe; Jamie Smith’s MABON; Geoff Berner; Runaway Samba; Moscow Drug Club and Morris-Natyam, from Britain and India.

October 22's 10am to 2am bill features The Mahotella Queens, from South Africa; Kathryn Tickell & The Side; Don Letts's DJ set; comedian Jeremy Hardy; Sarah Jane Morris & The Bloody Rain Band; Lemn Sissay; Me & My Friends and Michael Messer’s Mitra, from India and the UK.

Playing that day too will be Flamenco Con Fusion; Edd Bateman’s West African Love Affair; Sean Taylor Trio; Manjula; Joe Solo; Fie! Fie! Fie!; The Skandals; Commoners Choir and a new collaboration between Whitby pianist Jess Wright & BBC Young Musician Of The Year finalist Delia Stevens.

On the festival roster on October 23, from 10am to midnight, will be Lynched, from Eire; Soup Songs Live, performing The Songs Of Robert Wyatt; Moussu T E Lei Jovents, from France; Varldens, from Sweden; Arstidir, from Iceland; Coope Boyes & Simpson and John Smith.

The Sunday programme will be completed by Maz O’Connor Trio; Harpeth Rising, from the USA; Ragged Union, from the USA; Martin Alvarado, from Argentina; The Harty Family; The Peace Artistes and Well Dressed Gentlemen.

Hardeep Singh Kohli will host the festival cookery stage, complemented by an Open Mic Stage, workshops, children's activities, a sponsored sea swim and a film programme. Musicport tickets for the full weekend and individual days can be booked on 01947 603475 or at musicportfestival.com