A festival of the arts is planned in south Norfolk that will help increase the profile of the district as a destination for visitors.Running from May to September, the programme has been designed by South Norfolk Council to appeal to the widest audience and includes opera, folk, classical music, brass bands, theatre, film, children's puppet shows and arts exhibitions.

A festival of the arts is planned in south Norfolk that will help increase the profile of the district as a destination for visitors.

Running from May to September, the programme has been designed by South Norfolk Council to appeal to the widest audience and includes opera, folk, classical music, brass bands, theatre, film, children's puppet shows and arts exhibitions.

There will be a free outdoor celebration in Whitlingham country park, and a number of high profile events of both a local and international flavour.

Estimated costs of the festival are �94,610 set against a projected box office income of �22,146 and additional revenue of �775. It is also hoped to attracted sponsorship and partner contributions totalling in excess of �25,000, resulting in a net cost to the council of �46,555.

Michelle Monck, the council's cabinet member for tourism, heritage, enterprise and culture, said: 'There is a good mix. We have taken trouble to make sure that there is something for everyone throughout the festival. It is going to be really quite impressive.

'One of the things we hope to do is to run a musical comedy show at Gaze's auction house in Diss with a group called Pluck, who do classical music in an amusing way. I think it will be a good, fun evening.'

A business plan has been drawn up which will go before district councillors on January 19, when they are requested to endorse the artistic programme and approve the budget.

Mrs Monck said the authority is also trying to encourage links with local businesses during the festival. For example, the village pub at Brockdish will be displaying artwork and putting on refreshments to coincide with a Fleeting Flame event at the neighbouring sculpture meadow.