PREPARATIONS are under way for a three-week long artistic extravaganza.

With just months to go until the annual Droitwich Spa ArtsFest 2017 begins, organisers are hard at work compiling the jam-packed programme of events.

The festival kicks off over the weekend of Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, when there will be live music at venues in the town centre.

Then, during the ensuing weekends, there will be a variety of public performances, exhibitions, workshops and poetry readings.

Rhys Jones, who is organising ArtsFest 2017, said the committee has started handing out bright-orange bookmarks to remind people when this year's festivities are taking place.

"The bookmark is to help promote Droitwich ArtsFest 2017 taking place from Saturday, July 15 until Saturday, August 5," he said.

"People living in and around Droitwich can pick up the free bookmark from the library, heritage centre, cafes, shops and other outlets.

"I hope it will be used as an 'aid memoire' to help attract local people to support this annual event for Droitwich.

"I'm so grateful for the generous support received from Laura Dupont and Celia Felgate of Fresh Nous, based in Droitwich High Street, who designed, produced and paid for the bookmark.

"There will be more publicity and information over the coming months leading up to what will be a unique and fantastic event covering a range of art activities taking place in Droitwich during three weeks and four weekends."

Ms Dupont said: "We were delighted to have been asked to support ArtsFest 2017 which will be a great community event for Droitwich."

Events are grouped around weekends, with music dominating the first, followed by literature, poetry and theatre from Saturday July 22, to Sunday, July 23.

Then, from Saturday, July 29, to Sunday, July 30, events will be centred around the theme 'Droitwich in Pictures'.

Celebrations will finally finish on Saturday, August 5.

For more information, visit droitwichartsfest.org