TWO hundred and ninety-nine events have been lined up for a bumper Worcester Festival which kicks off on Saturday, August 6, with a colourful parade through the city centre.

The Town Crier will announce the start of the festival at 1pm and while all sorts of events begin all over town, the opening procession will follow at 3pm, an event which saw 4,000 people line the streets last year.

The starting point is the Elgar Statue and will include The Welsh Piping Society Pipe Band, the Someone At The Door samba band as well as Percy the festival peacock mascot and plenty more.

Then it's all systems go for three weeks of excitement, encompassing The Three Choirs Fringe Festival and finishing with a grand fireworks finale and shows by Joe Brown and the Bruvvers and T-Rextasy on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29.

Other highlights will include the likes of the return of Marty Wilde and the Wildcats, a show by cockney kings Chas and Dave, a Camra beer and cider festival, a flower festival which last year attracted 7,000 people and an evening of Latin dancing with top salsa band Palenke.

"The sheer diversity and number of events on offer this year is truly impressive," said Chris Jaeger, director of Huntingdon Arts which is organising the event.

Among the other events will be a choice of top films screened at The Swan Theatre and a programme of workshops for children, including acting and dance workshops aimed, say organisers, at developing confidence, making new friends and having fun.

Of the 299 events planned, 141 are free and 74 are £5 or under. Pick up a brochure in town or see www.worcesterfestival.co.uk for more details and contact the box office to book tickets in advance on 01905 611427.