A university student is to stage a major two-day music event later this year.

Forth Festival is the brainchild of James Lafferty, who is in the final year of his music business honours course at Perth College UHI.

The 37-year-old was to stage an event as part of his degree, and so he took aim at the boutique festival market.

Headlined by former The Voice UK winner Stevie McCrorie, the inaugural event is expected to attract thousands of music fans to Stirling this May.

Lafftery, from Stirling, said: "I started work on Forthside back in August and it's been pretty much non-stop since then. It initially was part of my course, but now it's just grown arms and legs.

"When you look at how it is progressed already, you can tell there is a desire for something like this in what is T in the Park country.

"I don't want to get too far ahead of myself; there is still a lot of work to be done before this year's Forthside can even go ahead.

"But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't keen to see this go off every year. It would be such a big draw for the area and I'm positive we'll be able to expand and attract some more big hitters down the line."

Also signed on is Mark Morriss from the Bluetones, as well as singer-songwriter Pete MacLeod, and Blondie tribute act Dirty Harry.

Lafferty's own band Stop the Clocks - an Oasis tribute act - will also play a set, along with Ocean Colour Scheme and a host of others.

Lafferty added: "For me this is something that is needed for central Scotland; it would serve as a pretty massive shake-up of the local scene and could encourage more youngsters to pick up an instrument and give it a go.

"If there could be any kind of legacy for Forthside it would be that there should be no barrier to music - whether you want to play for yourself, perform for others or just go along and enjoy the sounds.

"I'm hoping the communities in the area will rally behind it and make it a major part of the annual events calendar around here."

Forthside Festival will take place on May 3 and 4. Tickets are on sale now.