PEOPLE chomping on their lunch, views of Worcester Cathedral, and shoppers with their bargains - these are some of the scenes captured by budding photographers.

The pictures, taken by students at Worcester College of Technology on the Starting Photography evening class, will now be displayed in the window of Snappy Snaps in the city's CrownGate shopping centre as part of the Worcester Festival.

All the photographs were taken around Worcester and include children playing, parks, waterways, pubs and even car parks.

Lauren Daye, a student on the course, franchisee at Snappy Snaps and exhibition sponsor, said: "I am thrilled to be displaying my fellow students' photographs - they are fantastic and reflect how much we have enjoyed the course and how much we have learnt."

The pictures will be on display until the end of the festival, which culminates with a grand finale fireworks display on Monday, August 29.

The festival, now in its third year, includes almost 300 events catering for all tastes, from exhibitions to theatre productions and live music shows.

CrownGate shopping centre has built a special stage graced by a variety of entertainers. Today's line up includes King's School Jazz Band and the New Georgia Jazz Band.

Shoppers can enjoy the music for free, and either take in the tunes as they pass by or stop and watch the whole show.

Today's entertainment also includes a walk from the centre of Worcester to the site of the Battle of Worcester in Powick, leaving Huntingdon Hall at 10am.

Family entertainment is on at Cripplegate Park from 10am with Raiders of the Lost Park, a theatre adventure aimed at youngsters and their parents or carers.

Seven to 12 year olds can discover how to become an illustrator with The Pearl Diver workshop at Church Farm in Shrawley, also from 10am.

Theatre lovers who would love to get a glimpse behind the scenes could take advantage of the Swan Theatre's backstage tour at 7.30pm.

And more entertainment will come in the form of the comedy Rites being performed in the beer garden of the Hunter's Lodge pub in Hallow, near Worcester at 7.30pm.

More comedy is on at The Swan Studio at 7.30pm with the play Men Of The World, produced by the Swan Theatre Amateur Company.

A baroque flutist and harpsichordist will perform Music For The Prussian King, bringing 18th Century music into the 21st Century at the Worcester Friends Meeting House in Sansome Walk at 7.30pm.

Finally, there's more theatre with Harold Pinter's Betrayal being staged at Worcester Arts Workshop at 7.30pm.

For more information about the Worcester Festival call 01905 611427 or log onto www.worcesterfestival.CO.UK

Classic children's tale against backdrop of stately home

YOUNGSTERS will be treated to a tale of dreams with an open-air performance of a classic children's tale.

Hanbury Hall has invited children aged over five to enjoy theatre company Illyria's performance of Edith Nesbit's Five Children And It on Sunday.

Five children discover a grumpy, ugly fairy living in a sand pit. The sand fairy can grant any wish. There are only two rules, you may only have one wish a day and whatever you wish for will disappear at sundown. The children make use of their new power, but soon learn that having exactly what you want can get you in a lot of trouble.

Visitor services manager Rebecca White said: "Visitors of all ages can enjoy a summer evening watching this open-air performance set against the delightful backdrop of Hanbury Hall and gardens."

Visitors are invited to bring a picnic and a chair or rug to sit on.

The gates will open at 6.30pm and the performance will start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 for adults, £6 for children.

For more information, call the booking line on 0870 2404068.

FESTIVAL DIARY

There's a wealth of entertainment on offer during the Worcester Festival, which runs until Monday, August 29. Here are some of the highlights.

TODAY:

l 10am: Raiders of the Lost Park! Family fun at Cripplegate Park.

l 10am: An eight-mile walk starting at Huntingdon Hall in Worcester going to the site of the Powick battlefield during the Battle of Worcester.

l 10am and again at noon: King's School Jazz Band performing on the live stage at CrownGate shopping centre.

l 10am: The Pearl Diver: a story-telling session and workshop for seven to 12 year olds at the Curradine Barns at Church Farm in Shrawley.

l 1pm: The New Georgia Jazz Band at CrownGate's live stage.

l 7.30pm: Backstage tour at the Swan Theatre.

l 7.30pm: The comedy Rites will be staged in the gardens of the Hunter's Lodge pub in Sinton Green, near Hallow.

l 7.30pm: The Melting Pot Theatre company presents Harold Pinter's play Betrayal at Worcester Arts Workshop.

l 7.30pm: The comedy Men Of The World will be performed by the Swan Theatre Amateur Company at the Swan Studio.

l 7.30pm: Music For The Prussian King at the Friends Meeting House in Worcester.

TOMORROW:

l 10am: Trombonist Marcus Reynolds on the live stage at CrownGate shopping centre.

l 11am: A Day By The Sea - songs, stories and crafts for three to six year olds at Worcester City Library.

l Noon: Selina Bella Strings performing at CrownGate's live stage.

l 2pm: Spin Dwyers at CrownGate's live stage.

l 2pm: The film Calamity Jane is being screened at the Swan Theatre.

l 5.30pm: A walk around some of Worcester's areas that have been visited by Royals. Meeting at Huntingdon Hall.

l 7.30pm: The comedy Rites will be staged in the gardens of the Hunter's Lodge pub in Sinton Green near Hallow.

l 7.30pm: The Melting Pot Theatre company presents Harold Pinter's play Betrayal at Worcester Arts Workshop.

l 7.30pm: The comedy Men Of The World will be performed by the Swan Theatre Amateur Company at the Swan Studio.

l 7.30pm: The film The Story Of The Weeping Camel will be screened at the Swan Theatre.

l 7.30pm: Point Blank - for teenagers to those in their 30s, an evening of sketches written by the In Yer Face Christian Theatre Company.