IT'S been the star of a hit television series and now Suffolk's most famous farm is being transformed into a festival site.

IT'S been the star of a hit television series and now Suffolk's most famous farm is being transformed into a festival site.

Preparations are in full swing for the Harvest at Jimmy's music and food festival being held at Jimmy's Farm at Wherstead, near Ipswich, this weekend.

Stages are being built, tents are being erected and ingredients are being prepared for the two-day event, which is taking place for the first time and has already sold out.

Up to 5,000 people are expected each day at the farm, which was made famous by a BBC2 TV series.

It will feature top names in music including KT Tunstall, Badly Drawn Boy, Athlete and Jose Gonzalez and live demonstrations from award-winning chefs James Martin, James Wong and Gennaro Contaldo.

Chefs from Jamie Oliver's Fifteen will be holding masterclasses for festival-goers, who will also get to sample and buy local produce from a host of exhibitors.

There is also a paddock dedicated to children's activities, including a bouncy castle, animal tours, face painting and a treasure hunt.

Speaking at the site yesterday, Jimmy Doherty, who runs the farm, said: “I'm feeling a mixture of excitement, nerves and just not being able to wait for the doors to open.

“The response from the public has been absolutely huge - we've got visitors from the US and Germany, all over the world.

“But I'm delighted from the great response we've had from Suffolk and everyone seems really pleased with what we're doing.”

He said the festival would provide an economic boost to the area with campsites and guesthouses gearing up for a busy weekend.

“There's no camping on site because we wanted all the local campsites and B&Bs to benefit as well.

“You can't find a free hotel room anywhere near - I know because I've been trying to book one for my mum!”

If you are going, give us your verdict on Harvest at Jimmy's after the festival - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

For more on Harvest at Jimmy's, see Stephen Foster's column.

HARVEST at Jimmy's runs from 11am to 11pm on Saturday and from 11am to 10.30pm on Sunday.

The festival is a sell-out, but a limited number of tickets will be available on both days.

Free shuttle buses will run from Ipswich rail station to the farm from 10.30am to 4.30pm and the return journey from 9.30pm on Saturday and 8.30pm on Sunday.

Jimmy Doherty said: “The great thing is that there's music you would expect to see at Glastonbury and chefs you would expect to see at the BBC Good Food Show, all at one event.”

Dom Gomez, event manager at concert promoter Big Wheel, said: “This is such a beautiful location and the festival will complement that.

“This is the first festival of its kind - the perfect balance between music and food - and we're very excited and proud to be a part of it. It should be a very exciting weekend.”

THE LINE-UP:

SATURDAY

Music: Athlete, Jose Gonzalez, Badly Drawn Boy, Jon Allen, Wallis Bird, The Cheek, Sam Lewis, Prints of Whales.

Chefs: Rachel Allen, Gino D'Acampo, Anjum Anand, Chris Gates, the Fifteen chefs, Paul Kelly and Jimmy Doherty.

SUNDAY

Music: KT Tunstall, Seth Lakeman, Tunng, Gideon Conn, Peter and the Wolf, the Great Shakes, 6 Day Riot, Delta Maid.

Chefs: James Martin, James Wong, Chris Gates, Galton Blackiston, the Fifteen chefs, Gennaro Contaldo, Paul Kelly and Jimmy Doherty.

Join the Harvest at Jimmy's group on lovemusic24.co.ukEvent details - click hereOfficial site - www.harvestatjimmys.comJoin the Harvest at Jimmy's group on lovemusic24.co.ukEvent details - click hereOfficial site - www.harvestatjimmys.com