THE box office is now open for the Leominster Festival 2009, which this year features the return of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra, an essential part of the festival since it began in 1980.

The festival starts with a private view of the Anne Rutherford Memorial Art Exhibition. It goes on to include a lunchtime performance by Simon Deeley and his trio, close harmony from the Blaenavon Male Voice Choir and Times war correspondent Tony Geraghty revealing something of past experiences and a glimpse of his life since moving to Herefordshire.

The ever-popular Tony Norman will lead a small band of intrepid walkers on a short expedition in the Arrow Valley – and a tour of Powis Castle and gardens is also on offer.

Later in the week there will be the Leominster and District Junior String Orchestra in Leominster Priory. This will be followed by a concert by Pindrop, acoustic musicians playing many different styles of music.

The final concert will feature – as tradition dictates – Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra.

The festival box office is open in the tourist information office in Corn Square, Leominster. For details about the festival, which runs from Friday, June 5, to Sunday, June 14, visit leominster-festival.co.uk