THE ravishing sounds of Elgar's Introduction and Allegro this evening (Thursday) will open a week of music and arts in and around the border town of Presteigne.

Between now and next Tuesday, there will be a wide range of mouth-watering concerts and events in churches and halls in Titley, Leintwardine, Bleddfa and other nearby communities.

With 25 events, any selection can only be subjective. Here are a few that should not be missed:

6 Tonight at St Andrew's Church, Presteigne: Music by Elgar, Rawsthorne, Ian Wilson and Britten, 7.45pm.

6 Tomorrow at Titley Village Hall: Sue Gee talks about her new novel The Mysteries of Glass, 11.30am.

6 Tomorrow at St Andrew's Church: Dante Quartet plays Purcell, Wilson, Tippett and Schubert, 7.45pm. Also Piano Recital by Matthew Schellhorn, 10.15pm.

6 Saturday at Titley Village Hall: Remembering Michael Tippett, 4.30pm.

6 Saturday at St Andrew's Church: Music by Tippett, Handel and Rawsthorne plus Cecilia McDowall's Magnificat, 8pm.

6 Sunday at St Andrew's Church: Festival Eucharist with the Canterbury Chamber Choir, 11am.

6 Monday at Titley Village Hall: John McCabe talks about Alan Rawsthorne, 11.30am.

6 Tuesday from Arkwright Hall, Kinsham: Walk in the Footsteps of Lord Byron and Florence Nightingale, from 4.30pm.

6 Tuesday at St Andrew's Church: Festival Finale, with music by Tippett, David Matthews, Vaughan Williams and Mozart, 8pm.

For details, contact the Festival box office on 01544 267800.