A SELECTION of colourful entertainment is to be performed in village venues across Wyre Forest in the coming months.

The new Shindig rural and community touring scheme, subsidised by Worcestershire County Council and its district counterparts, kicks off in Wyre Forest on Saturday, with an off-the-wall concert by The Old Rope String Band at Cookley First School.

The band's act boasts a unique mixture of music, clowning and cabaret which has been described by a spokeswoman at the county council as "hilariously funny".

She said: "The worlds of traditional music and clowning collide here at the cutting edge of music hall.

"Fiery tunes and songs create a fantastic backdrop for the conflicts of these bizarre characters - Joe Scurfield, Tim Dalling and Peter Challoner.

"The music is an infectious selection of paso dobles, polkas, jigs, reels, tangos and songs from Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia and beyond, all played on fiddle, banjo, trombone, accordion and trumpet."

Acrobatics, juggling and dancing also feature in the show, as well as music played upside down and South African wellie-boot dancing.

She added previous performances by the band had left audiences "helpless with laughter and hungry for more" from Lerwick to Lisbon and Hong Kong to Hull.

Other events to watch out for in The Shindig tour, which is designed to bring live arts by professionals to venues in villages and communities across the county, include Festive Frolics, by the Grand Theatre of Lemmings at Areley Kings Village Hall in Stourport on Friday, December 3.

A performance of the children's show, East O' The Sun, West O' The Moon, by Multi Storey Theatre Company will follow at Clows Top Victory Hall on January 8. February 19 will see a multi-cultural music concert and barn dance at St Ambrose Parish Hall in Kidderminster.

More information and tickets for The Old Rope String Band show can be obtained by calling 01562 850397.