BANDS at the Belmont is returning bigger and better than ever, say the organisers.

The Whitstable open-air music fest which was launched last May has been put back to June this year in a bid for better weather.

It has also been switched from a Friday to a Saturday night.

And the line-up has been boosted from two to three acts.

Last year's problems with delays at the beer tent - up to 90 minutes - have also been solved, they say.

But entrance fees are being pegged at last year's rates of £10 for advance tickets and £15 on the gate.

All proceeds go to keeping the local football club Whitstable Town FC afloat.

Topping the bill on Saturday June 19 at the Belmont Road ground will be former X Factor finalist Ben Mills.

Ben, who has just released his second album, said: "I'm excited about playing alongside two of my favourite local bands, Hullabaloo and Rubber Biscuit.

"It's always great to play in Whitstable. It's something I don't get to do enough so I'm really pleased to be doing a local gig like this."

He is planning to perform some songs from his new album Freedom as well as cover tracks including some from his Rod Stewart tribute show.

He promised: "There will be something for everyone to enjoy. I hope they like the new songs but there will be lots of funky stuff to dance along to as well.

"It will be a good gig. I'm looking forward to playing and to seeing the other bands as well."

It was the chaps from Hullabaloo who landed him in deep trouble with his X Factor mentor Sharon Osborne while on the show back in 2006.

He had been supposed to attend a West End premiere in Leicester Square but went missing.

Producers were incandescent with rage when they discovered him listening to his mates in jazz jive band Hullabaloo, led by 43-year-old bald-headed double-bass player Jarrod Coombes, in a nearby pub.

Both Hullabaloo and soul group Rubber Biscuit played Belmont last year.

Hullabaloo opened the show then the heavens opened just as 12-piece Rubber Biscuit were about to play.

Fans raced for cover although some carried on dancing in the rain, clad in black plastic bin liners.

Jarrod, who was brought up in the town, admitted: "I am not a massive football fan but my dad Tom played in goal for Faversham when he was younger and my late brother Paul used to play so it will be nice supporting the local team again.

"It will be great playing on the pitch. Most of our gigs are private functions. We travel all over the country and abroad so it will be brilliant to play in front of local fans."

Organiser Neil Harrington of Kent Estate Agencies said: "This is Whitstable's biggest open-air music event. It features local bands playing to local people raising funds for the local football club.

"We have put it back five weeks in a bid to avoid the rain of last year and have switched it to a Saturday to give people more time to get ready.

"We are also hiring a 36-feet long marquee as a beer tent to ensure no one has to wait so long to get a drink. That is our biggest priority.

"We are also holding our prices despite having more bands."

Tickets go on sale on Monday (March 22) from Kent Estate Agencies in the High Street, Turbo Print in Oxford Street and the Labour Club and the football ground in Belmont Road.

They can also be ordered on line at www.eventsatthebelmont.co.uk.

Gates open at 5pm. First band starts at 6.30pm. Bob Mower will be compere.