A festival that mixes music, science and space will return to Jodrell Bank for another cosmic offering.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2017 bluedot festival, which will return to Jodrell Bank over the weekend of July 7 - 9, 2017.

The festival’s inaugural event saw legendary French musician and composer Jean Michel Jarre headlining with a spectacle of lights, lasers and pyrotechnics against the backdrop of the mighty 250ft-diameter Lovell radio telescope.

In addition, an episode of Radio 4’s irreverent science show The Infinite Monkey Cage with Prof Brian Cox and Robin Ince also drew in the crowds.

The line up for this year’s event hasn’t yet been announced, but organisers are confident bluedot 2017 will be bigger, better and even more ambitious.

Ben Robinson, festival director: “Last year’s bluedot festival exceeded all expectations, a combination of the incredible location and the rich diversity of the musical line-up and the science, arts and culture content really set us apart from the pack. We are determined to raise the bar again and have some very exciting developments to announce in the coming months.”

Fan’s at this year’s event can expect a galaxy of talent from across the scientific, literary and arts communities with five distinct arenas featuring space orchestras, talks, screenings, lectures, comedy and debates, a vast spectrum of hands-on activities and much more.

Professor Tim O’Brien, associate director of Jodrell Bank, said: “bluedot is a spectacular way to spend a weekend with brilliant music, world-leading science, amazing art and the very best in food and drink. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back here to Jodrell Bank in 2017- please do come and join us!”.

General sale tickets will be available from Friday 28 October. Go to discoverthebluedot.com.

The festival, led by the same team behind Kendall Calling, was nominated in no fewer than six categories at the UK Festival Awards including Best New Festival, Best Small Festival and Best Headliner for Jean-Michel Jarre, plus two nominations at the AIF Awards including New Festival on the Block and Mind Blowing Spectacle.

Anyone wishing to vote for bluedot at the UK Festival Awards can do so here.

2016