WORCESTER'S Swan Theatre is the venue for the launch of the city's third annual Festival on Tuesday, February 22, from 7.30pm.

This year, the Worcester Festival will be even longer, taking place from Saturday, August 6, and running for 23 days until Monday, August 29.

For the first time, it will incorporate the massively successful Three Choirs Festival during the first week.

The community event includes a huge range of activities, including live music, art exhibitions, theatre, workshops, comedy, raft racing and fireworks.

The informal launch evening is described as "an opportunity for anybody who has an activity idea or wants to run an event within the Worcester Festival, ask questions or even to get some information about the Festival".