THE Culture Secretary has opened a dynamic arts festival, declaring it as something "for everyone".

Bromsgrove Festival was launched by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and MP for the town, who highlighted the importance of the social and intrinsic value of the arts during his speech to more than 100 guests at the Artrix.

The acts who performed to the crowd included Fairfield Folk, the Orchestra of St John, Bromsgrove Operatic Society and the Blackwell Concert Band.

Mr Javid said: "I understand the value of culture and arts to not just the whole community but to our whole society. I’m not talking about the economic value, although that’s important, but the social and intrinsic of the arts; the way it brings communities together."

The Culture Secretary also paid tribute to Mary White, the previous organiser of the festival, and praised the new organising committee for broadening its appeal.

Mr Javid added: "As well as keeping all the best things from past festivals, they’ve added other dimensions to it such as jazz, pop, spoken word and art and really broadened its appeal.

"So this festival isn’t just for the people of Bromsgrove but a festival for everyone, in the region and beyond."

The official opening gala took place on Saturday, June 14 and the festival will run until Sunday, July 20.

For more information, go to bromsgrovefestival.co.uk or artrix.co.uk.