THE Music for Youth Regional Festival comes to Hereford for the first time in its 34-year history on Saturday.

More than 400 young instrumentalists, singers and dancers aged from nine to 21 from Herefordshire and Worcestershire will perform in this one of 59 regional festivals.

Twelve groups of young musicians from the county are performing - four from the host, Hereford Sixth Form College; Herefordshire Youth Brass and Concert Bands; Hereford Cathedral School's concert band and saxophone quartet; a team of handbell ringers and a choir from St Paul's Primary School; the choir from Hereford Cathedral Junior School and The Voice Squad - Hereford's new independent choir.

The festival offers the opportunity for selected groups to participate in two future events in the year.

One is the National Festival of Music for Youth, which is held at London's South Bank Centre in July. The other at the world-acclaimed Music for Youth Schools Prom Concerts in the Royal Albert Hall in November.

Hannah Rees, regional festival series manager, said: "It's very exciting - the first time in 34 years there's been a Music for Youth event in the area. Because I'm from Hereford I know there are groups that need to be seen.

"And hopefully some of the groups will get through to the proms."

The public is invited to listen to the festival, which takes place at Hereford Sixth Form College on Folly Lane between 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm.