MUSIC lovers will flock to Upton-upon-Severn for a folk festival this weekend.

Thousands of people are expected to make their way to the riverside town for the annual event, which this year runs from tomorrow until Monday, May 7.

Tomorrow evening, comedian Les Barker will open the festival, followed by an evening with a traditional dance and a series of national and local artists performing in a large marquee.

The event will also see 50 groups of morris dancers perform in the town's streets along with plenty of other free entertainment. Song and music sessions will be held with workshops on anything from belly dancing to playing the guitar.

Other attractions include the Upton In Bloom duck race, folk clubs, a musical meander in the local countryside and craft fair.

Some local acts including West Malvern's Malthouse Passage, Flatworld and Vital Spark will be at the festival.

At midday on Sunday, a grand procession, led by the mayor, will parade through the town centre, closing the road to traffic for about an hour.

The weekend will finish on Monday afternoon with a grand finale concert featuring BBC Two best duo folk awards winners Nancy Kerr and James Fagan.

And for the first time, trips on the Severn in the Conway Castle are on offer at a reduced rate to festival ticket holders.

Lisa Warburton, one of the festival organisers, said: "It's traditional to encourage participation in the festivities.

"You can just stand there and cheer the entertainers on, or you can get an instrument out and have a go.

"There's a wide range of activities from which you can choose to release those hidden talents, many of which are free.

"The weather looks set to be fabulous, so come and let your hair down at Upton Folk Festival this weekend."

Tickets for the weekend, day, afternoon and evening sessions are available from the festival office on the waterfront during the weekend.

Further details can be found on www.uptonfolk.org, or by e-mailing box office@uptonfolk.org.