YOU can't get much further from Britain's Celtic fringe than Shipston, but the town is set to host a major festival of Celtic music next month.

The festival is the fifth annual Celtic reunion and has been organised by the Cotswold-based Celtic Spirit, which aims to raise awareness of traditional Celtic music and dance and to encourage more people to teach and learn it.

The first of the festivals in 1996 reunited a group of Scottish and Breton musicians, but it has now expanded and this year takes place over two days at the Norgren Social Club in Shipston on February 9 and 10.

Friday night sees performances from Calennig, featuring Mick Tems on voice and diatonic accordion and Patricia Carron-Smith, a singer, who also plays concertina and the spoons. Their music is based on the traditions of south Wales.

Other acts include Scottish singer Gavin Stewart, ceilidh specialists Silver Bough Band and Celtish, a four-piece band bringing with them experience in Welsh, Irish and Scottish music.

Saturday is devoted to a day of workshops in dance, fiddle, spoons, whistle and diatonic accordion, which cost £4 for adults, but are free for children. Adults who buy a weekend ticket also get one workshop free.

The Saturday night features music from Snap, who play a mix of traditional and modern Scottish music fused with Breton tunes, Gweelow, from France, who blend Breton and Welsh music, Appalachian clog dancers Kick the Bucket and Scottish and Irish songs from Curtanach Fir. Tickets cost £7 for each night or £12 for the weekend, but are £1 more if bought on the door. More information is available from Keith and Sue Finlay on 01608 661157.