Plans are under way for an ambitious eight-day music festival in Diss next July which, coincidentally, will tie in with South Norfolk Council's Festival of the Arts throughout the summer.

Plans are under way for an ambitious eight-day music festival in Diss next July which, coincidentally, will tie in with South Norfolk Council's Festival of the Arts throughout the summer.

Town councillor Glyn Walden will lead a team of enthusiasts to provide something for everyone, with famous comedy band from the sixties the Barron Knights headlining the finale.

Also planned is a Festival of Song comprising massed choirs from local schools, square and country dancing, a classical evening, jazz, tea dances and a special Latin/Caribbean evening with traditional food and dancers.

The Corn Hall, now the subject of ambitious refurbishment plans will provide the venue for several events and the Park and Market Place will resound to popular music in the open air.

Organiser Mr Walden said: “At present I am still in the early stages of forming an enthusiastic and reliable team to make sure all the events run smoothly, and we are still receiving feedback from local people as to what they would like to support. Some events will require an admission fee but there will be some which will be free to lots of music lovers. It will also be an opportunity to involve local talent.

The Town Council is backing the programme and we have already been talking with South Norfolk's Community Officers to see how we can dovetail in with their own plans.

It is several years since our last festival, and this one hopefully will have something for all tastes and all ages. From the buskers to the Barron Knights it will be a great week”.