WARWICK Arts Society celebrates its 25th anniversary with over forty events in this year's Warwick Festival, starting Friday and running until July 10.

There is a huge variety on offer, at various venues, ranging from drama, puppet shows, through instrumentalist recitals, orchestras to opera, jazz, dance and exhibitions, talks, walks and guided tours.

The celebrations begin on Friday when St Mary's Church hosts a concert by Fine Arts Brass Ensemble together with local choir Armonico Consort, perform a programme centred around the world premiere of Philip Wilby's A New World Dancing.

On the same night London Jing Kun Opera Company perform at Bridge House Theatre from 7.30pm. Festival spokesperson Clare Noakes said: "There's the chance to meet a Peking warrior, empresses and a coquettish maiden in this Oriental Spectacular."

Oddsocks Productions put on their "fun and frolics" version of Shakespeare's The Tempest at Warwick Castle (July 5-10) and there is a series of lunchtime concerts in the Unitarian Chapel on High Street, the first time the venue has been used by the Society for about a decade.

Ms Noakes added: "The Chapel's attractive gardens seems an ideal place to come and relax, bring a picnic lunch and then enjoy some beautiful music with some first-class musicians lined-up to remind audiences how special concerts in this venue can be."

Other highlights include a programme of songs by Schubert, Haydn, Strauss and William Bolcom by Mezzo Soprano Wendy Dawn Thompson, at Bridge House Theatre on Sunday July 10 at 3pm. Motionhouse Dance Theatre perform Perfect, also at Bridge House Theatre on Tuesday, July 5 at 7.30 and there is a Coffee Concert by the Scottish Flute Trio on Saturday July 9 at 11am at the Friends Meeting House.

All events (except Warwick Castle's Firework Concerts) offer tickets for children and students at just £1. Tickets for all events are available in person at the box office at Pageant House, or by calling 01926 496277. Details of all concerts on www.warwickarts.org.uk