SINGER and guitarist Martin Carthy - widely acclaimed as the father of the modern English traditional folk scene - is playing at the Market Hall, Minchinhampton.

He comes as the special guest of Minchinhampton Folk Club.

It won't be the first time Carthy has played for the club - he dropped in unannounced on the first night it opened, in July 2003, and treated the first-night crowd to some of his songs free of charge.

Carthy, whose life and work was celebrated in a recent BBC documentary and who features in the current BBC4 TV series Folk Britannia, is renowned for his unique guitar style and seminal arrangements of traditional songs.

Carthy has been acknowledged as an influence by many prominent musicians, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.

As well as giving solo performances, he tours and plays with his wife Norma Waterson and their daughter Eliza as Waterson/Carthy.

This is the second time Minchinhampton Folk Club, which meets every Thursday night in the Barn at the Crown Inn, Minchinhampton, has booked a professional artist in place of its normal club night.

Its concert starring Mike Silver in November last year was a great success and featured an unannounced appearance by Gloucestershire-based singer-songwriter and composer Johnny Coppin.

The concert will include support in both halves from some of the club regulars.

The support performers will be Chanticleer, Colin Sillence, Dave Gass, Deb Jones, Jeff Gillett & Ron Taylor, Late Licence and Malcolm Withall.

Martin Carthy comes to Minchinhampton Market Hall on Thursday, March 9 at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £7, are available on club night at the Crown or from Chris Newton on 01453 834478. They are expected to sell out quickly.