ESTABLISHED four years ago and continuing to go from strength to strength, the unique Boomtown Festival is fast approaching.

Ahead of its weird and wonderful series of events, the County Times caught up with Boomtown co-director Lak Mitchell to hear about all the madness and mayhem revellers can expect in 2012.

So Lak, how is this year different to previous Boomtown extravaganzas?
"We have learned from three years of messing it up! From mistakes like how many people are permitted to enter the venues, spacing inside the venues, over-crowding, queues on the main gates, basic infrasructure... we're now concentrating on putting on the best show possible."

How is Boomtown different to other festivals?
"It's a party put on by party people,  there is 'no man at the top', it's non profit in a way." 

How big is Boomtown Festival?
"Well it's 26,000 people, but the live-in vehicle spaces are limited and there is a massive crew which need a lot of live-in vehicle space. It takes five weeks to build up the festival."

How many stages are there?
"There are 35 stages with every type of music available, except really there's no popular or commercial music, it's all about underground music, jump up and ska bands and hundreds of unsigned acts. In terms of headlining acts, we are keeping this a secret. The Festival always sell out anyway so it's a nice surprise. Big headliners include Caravan Palace, Asian Dub Foundation, the Skatalies, Reel Big Fish... But there's no emo or indie music! There's also a real community feel, there are many workshops - woodwork, metal - and Boomtown welcome familes. We're also supporters of eco friendly living and recycling."

For more information about Boomtown, visit www.boomtownfair.co.uk