ORGANISERS of the Ledbury English Festival have revealed details of the five-day spring spectacular.

The festival, which was launched last year, will run from April 21 to 25.

Andy Ward, committee member and chairman of the Ledbury and District Tourism Association, said: "This year, it will be bigger and better."

The links with Ledbury in Bloom will be strengthened, with a church service to launch the Ledbury in Bloom campaign on St George's Day, April 23.

Mr Ward said: "The great thing is that Sue Holland is the new chairman of Ledbury in Bloom and she is also an English Festival committee member."

The Festival Dancers, formed by Miss Holland, are expected to give performances during the English Festival and the John Masefield Society has already said it is interested in staging an event in honour of the former Poet Laureate.

The Ledbury Choral Society is to celebrate Elgar with a performance of his works at St Michael and All Angels' Church on Saturday, April 24. The festival is likely to begin, as last year, with a procession through the town centre featuring St George and the dragon.

Central to the festival will be a weekend street spectacular which, for the first time, will focus on traditional crafts.

As well as stalls, there will be the usual variety of street entertainments and a celebration of local produce, food and drink.

The committee is expected to announce more details following its annual meeting later this month.