THE COUNTDOWN is on for the Worcester Music Festival, which organisers are billing as "one of the UK’s fastest growing metropolitan live music events".

Even better, it's all free.

Acts set to perform this year will include, among many others, Jess Silk, Voodoo Stone, The Worcestershire Levellers, We Signal Fire, Renaissance Girl and Chevy Chase Stole My Wife.

This last band is well-known locally, of course, for dancing with pineapples.

Comedians in the mix will include, among many others, Masai Graham, James Cook and Karen Bayley, who is a regular guest on BBC Radio 5 Live.

The three-day celebration of sound is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and will take place from September 15 to September 17.

A spokesman said: "Taking place in around multiple venues across the city, from pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes to historic buildings, record shops, on the streets and even in breweries, the festival is absolutely free to attend with literally hundreds of gigs to choose from from showcasing some of the best, new and emerging artists in the UK.

"The festival also delivers free music-related workshops for the whole community. Adults and children can indulge in everything from drum clinics and question and answer sessions with industry experts to learning an instrument or singing in a pop choir. Amateur photographers of any age or experience can also enter the annual photography competition."

The festival is a non-profit making event, organised by volunteers, with the aim of fund-raising for charity, clocking up more than £45,000 over the past decade through collections and wristband sales.

The 2017 Festival will fundraise for St Paul's Hostel.

Further details about the festival at http://www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk/about-the-festival/what-to-expect/