THE twelfth Pershore Midsummer Brass Festival takes place on Saturday and promises to be a unique non-competitive event, featuring more than 20 bands.

The festival has increased in prestige over the years and is now regarded as a significant event in the national brass band calendar, normally attracting about 1,500 visitors from all over the country.

The festival runs from 10am-10pm at venues, including Pershore Abbey and the Angel Inn Gardens Marquee, and features several championship section bands, ensembles and junior bands.

There will also be opening music from the Abbey Tower, fanfares from town balconies, a marching band through the streets and more than 30 concerts at the two main venues throughout the day.

Tickets cost £6 or £4 (concessions) with free admission for children under nine and are available on the day.

Programmes cost 50p and contain full details such as a location map with venues, where to eat and park.

For more details, call festival director Gordon Hartley-Bennett on 01386 554955 or Pershore Tourist Information on 01386 554262.