A PACKED festival “for all the people of Worcester” has got under way with a bang – and a quack.

The Worcester Festival was declared officially open by organiser Chris Jaeger on Saturday, starting a month of events through August including the Worcester CAMRA Beer, Cider and Perry Festival and the Three Choirs Festival.

There will be plenty to please the most diverse crowds, according to Mr Jaeger, who said it was a chance “for people to try something different”, particularly when most of the 544 events are free.

“We’re trying to make Worcester buzz, this really is not about high art, it is about getting as many people as possible in-volved and enjoying the city.

“For example, on the last night when we get 1,500 people down to the riverside for the fireworks it is wonderful, because it is about people taking back their city, and enjoying it.”

He also said the festival was continuing to grow because “anyone” was welcome to run an event.

“It’s a people’s festival,” he said.

“This year, there is an international flav- our with entertainers such as the Bollywood Brass Band, but there is certainly something for everybody.”

He called on more sports and community clubs to contact organisers next year.

“It would be a perfect opportunity for them to have open days and get new members as we feel we haven’t got en- ough involvement from that area – yet,” said Mr Jaeger.

In what is fast becoming a tradition, the festival was opened by the firing of a 105mm artillery gun from South Quay handled by the city’s 214 (Worcestershire) Battery, 104 Regiment Royal Artillery.

Battery Captain Phil Kershaw said it was important to get things started with a bang.

A short while later, the St Richard’s Hospice rubber duck race got under way, raising about £1,500 for the Wildwood Drive-based charity.

Among the winning ducks, sponsored by the generous public, was a fancy dress safari duck.