Organisers of Chippenham Folk Festival have paid tribute to long-standing festival singer Johnny Collins who died suddenly on tour.
Mr Collins, 71, a resident singer who peformed at the festival for more than ten years, died of a heart attack in Poland last month.
The maritime folk singer reached international success when he and Jim Mageean won the Intervision song contest, the eastern European version of the Eurovision song contest, in Rostock, East Germany, in 1983.
A spokesman for the festival committee said: “We adopted Johnny as a resident singer at the festival some ten years ago and have always found his contribution valuable and gave a common grounding to participation and singing.
“We will all miss him dearly and will do what we can to keep his memory alive at the next festival and in subsequent years.
“Our hearts go out to Joyce and Johnny's family.All the more sadder for his loss.”
The funeral takes place today at Ruislip, Middlesex.
His widow Joyce said: “We are planning a memorial concert in the New Year and details will follow in due course.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support, messages and cards.”
It is thought there will be a special concert for Mr Collins at next year’s Chippenham Folk Festival on May 28-30.
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