Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band will be appearing for the first time at the International Oliver Cromwell Jazz Festival.

The legendary clarinet player, honoured with a CBE in 2001 for services to music, is one of the headline acts at the 20th annual event.

The Upton-based festival has a reputation for attracting big names and more than 50 acts are confirmed for year's event, which runs from Friday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26.

They include Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys, Henry's Bootblacks and Phil Mason's New Orleans All Stars.

Bla Mandag Jazz Band from Denmark, Hanna Richardson Trio from the USA and Lamarotte from Holland will also be taking part, along with local performers Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Chase Big Band.

Performances take place in a variety of venues, including three huge marquees and the popular Tommy's Bar Jazz Garden on Fish Meadow. Cross over Upton Bridge and you will find further venues in the town, including one beneath the bridge abutment itself.

Revellers can even listen to a band playing on the MV Conway Castle, which will be running 45-minute cruises on the River Severn on the Saturday and Sunday.

One of the highlight of the festival is the jazz parade through Upton town centre at 11.30pm on Saturday. Two marching bands will perform and the Energy Dancers and Secondliners will show off their famous decorated umbrellas, as they follow the bands from the parish church to the riverside.

Organiser 'Sir' Alan Buckley can be seen performing with his band on the Saturday.

Weekend tickets cost £45, while day are from £16 to £24. Camping facilities are available from 2pm on Thursday, June 23, on Fish Meadow. Car, caravan and camping tickets are £20.

Booking forms are available from the Jazz Festival office at 18, Riverside Close, Upton, by calling 01684 593254, or online at www.uptonjazz.co.uk.