HUNDREDS of people are set to descend on Old Town next month when its annual festival takes place.

And tickets are still available for the launch event this evening at Commonweal School from 7pm until 11pm, which includes performances from Nathan Jones and his All Stars Jazz Band and a three-course American buffet supper.

This year’s festival will run from June 8 to June 15, and money raised tonight will go towards the event.

Chairman Trevor Smith said: “The Old Town Festival is always going to be successful because it brings the community together.

“It is about showcasing what a wonderful place Old Town is and the wonderful facilities it has got.

“This year it is even more important because of the Big Arts Day and the Mela being cancelled.

“We have gone for some real top class performers this year. We have got bands on who will be performing at Glastonbury. It’s possibly our best music line-up ever.

“It is my first year as chairman so it has been a challenge for me and a learning curve but based on the support I have got from the committee, who are very experienced, I hope this year’s event will be as big as ever.”

This year's festival starts with a pop concert in the Bowl in the Town Gardens on June 8.

The Brian Bridgeman Memorial Walk will take place on June 10 and there will be a number of events throughout the week.

The festival will end with the parade and family day on the Lawns on June 15.

Schools, social groups, clubs, Scouts, Brownies, families, businesses, and performing arts groups are invited to join in this year’s parade.

Stalls are also available to book at the family day.

Trevor said: “The festival is on a smaller scale this year. Last year we had a two-day event in the Town Gardens. We are not doing that this year due to financial reasons.

“It is expensive to make road closures around the Town Gardens, which we would need to do.

“We are, however, still doing the pop concert. The following weekend the festival will be exactly the same as it has always been at the Lawns. We expect that to be bigger than ever.”

For tickets to tonight’s event, which are £10 each, call 07864 035692. For more information visit www.oldtownfestival.co.uk.