A HIGH-kicking cultural and arts festival rolled in the big guns as it got under way at the weekend.

The Worcester Festival got off to an explosive start at the riverside courtesy of the city’s 214 Battery Royal Artillery Regiment’s light gun at 2pm on Saturday.

As the last tone of the cathedral bells died away, the unit’s half-tonne field gun signalled the start of the festival and the St Richard’s Hospice duck race along the river Severn.

Thousands of people are expected to visit the city over the next two weeks to enjoy events ranging from a night in with some seductive burlesque dancers at the Swan Theatre to tea with antiques expert Henry Sandon.

From now until Monday, August 30, there are hundreds of events show-casing local and national talent, arts and culture, with the jaw-dropping finale of the riverside fireworks at South Quay at 10pm on the last day.

At the quayside on Sunday, and for the next two weeks, is the Riverside Arts Market organised by Worcester Tourism Association.

Yesterday there were 27 local artists exhibiting wares from caricatures to tile paintings, in what is the eighth event of its kind. Miriam Harvey, association chairman and city guide, said: “We never get any problem getting hold of artists because it’s very cheap to exhibit here.

“And we make no profit either, it’s put on for the people of Worcester, by the people of Worcester.”

Chris Jaeger, Worcester Festival boss, said one of the best things about the festival was that it was mostly free.

“We have about 350 events, 238 of them are free, 132 are specifically for children and there are at least 70 different venues,” he said. “I’m immensely proud of that.

“The Worcester Festival is about community. It’s about the people of Worcester and not needing money to be part of it.”