AS AUTUMN creeps ever nearer and the nights draw in, an eclectic feast of music is set to be served up in Worcester to warm both the heart and soul.

Huntingdon Arts has released its new season programme of events at the city's Swan Theatre and Huntingdon Hall, guaranteed to hit the spot with many a music lover.

From popular covers bands and professional folk and blues acts, to rock and roll legends and pop acts, the programme something for everyone.

Eagles tribute act Talon will be kick-starting musical proceedings on Friday, September 16.

After eight years and more than 1,000 performances of their Best of Eagles show, they will be playing tunes from their long-awaited original album Better Than Before, hot on the heels of their debut country-rock single Town Called Heartbreak.

Other tribute acts coming to the city include Abba-UK - on Friday, October 28, who will reel through the Swedish pop sensations' catchy hits such as Waterloo and Dancing Queen. then there's The Best Blues Brothers Show In The World Ever - on Thursday, October 13 - reliving great blues and soul songs from the classic film.

Tunes such as You Can't Hurry Love, In The Air Tonight and Easy Lover will also get an airing when Phil Collins tribute act Both Sides Phil Collins play on Thursday, November 3.

Musical nostalgia is also the flavour of the season - with trips down memory lane from Mike Pender and Dave Berry in A 60s Night Out (Saturday, September 17) and Red Hot Chartbusters (Wednesday, September 28) who will be reliving the classic motown, disco funk and pop hits from the 60s and 70s.

If rock and roll is more your bag, the legendary Alvin Stardust is guaranteed to deliver with his two-hour sho, on Saturday, October 8, in which he is set to perform songs made famous by the likes of Elvis, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and Buddy Holly.

The new season also sees the welcome return of acts such as harmonica blues legend Paul Lamb and the King Snakes, booked to appear on Thursday, October 6.

Acoustic roots duo Show of Hands - comprising Steve Knightley and Phil Beer - are also set to return to the city on Sunday, November 27, for what is set to be a stunning performance featuring guitars, mandicello, fiddle, cuatro, viola and concertina.

The programme also includes shows from the award-winning Karine Polwart (Tuesday, November 8), who has established herself at the forefront of the UK folk-roots scene as a member of traditional Malinky and Battlefield Band; and vocalist Stacey Kent on Wednesday, November 2.

Renowned guitarist Roy Harper - who has worked with musicians such as Jimmy Page, Dave Gilmour and Kate Bush - is set to draw in a big audience when he plays Huntingdon Hall on Friday, October 14.

Fans of Squeeze will also be tempted into coming along to the venue when one half of the successful band's song-writing team - Glenn Tilbrook - brings his new band The Fluffers along on Thursday, November 29.

Squeeze amassed a stunning catalogue of tunes throughout the 80s and 90s and were responsible for some of the era's most recognisable songs - including Up The Junction, Tempted and Cool For Cats - before their split in 1999.

Glenn has since made his own path in the musical world and he and his band are set to perform a lively mix of solo numbers and former Squeeze classics.

The varied shows are just a taste of the events on offer. Huntingdon Arts director Chris Jaeger said: "The new season promises to deliver a fantastic range of music. From 1960s rock and roll legends to the best of the musicals and some of the very best artists from the forefront of the folk-roots and rhythm and blues scene, there's something to suit everyone's tastes."

Copies of the brochure are available from the box office, the city's tourist information centre and the library and art gallery.