Seasoned partygoers and eager fresh-faced recruits will be dusting down their ball gowns or ironing their tuxedos as the countdown begins to The Summer Masked Ball.

The organisers of the festival, held in Porthleven, have promised a “superb” roster of acts with a healthy dose of “glam and glitz”.

Kelvin Batt, Masked Ball director, said: “We’ve got a superb line-up this year with festival stalwarts Groove Armada, Horse Meat Disco, Cuban Brothers, Dreadzone and the Trojan Sound System.

“There’s also the usual surprises and special areas that makes the Masked Ball such an adventure from start to finish.”

These include the Romano-Greco influenced main ballroom, the rabbit hole, which is a big top accessed through a dark labyrinth of tunnels, and the Raveyard – a hallowed ground of gravestones, resembling an out-take of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Improvements have been made to the camping area, which now boasts hot showers, and a dedicated area for campervans.

Kelvin said: “We’ve washed away the mud of the Halloween Masked Ball and sprinkled in a fat layer of glam and glitz.

“This is the night for ballgowns and tuxedos, a night to dress to impress with excess.”

This year’s Masked Ball will be supporting Porthleven County Primary School, Surfers Against Sewage and Pants Gynaecological Cancer Charity.

The event takes place on Saturday, May 3, at Beacon Crag, Porthleven, from 6pm to 6am.

There is also a “Sunday Service” on the following day from noon until midnight which features BBC Radio 1 DJ, Rob Da Bank Tickets for the Masked Ball are £45, while tickets for the Sunday Service are £15. VIP camping pitches are also available.

Anyone requiring more information should visit www.maskedball.net.