COMEDY and jazz helped get Bewdley Festival off to a flying start as art lovers from Wyre Forest and beyond flocked to the town.

The annual eight-day event began on Friday night and will come to a close with a massive party at Bewdley High School on Saturday.

The Mayor of Bewdley, Tony Williams, opened the week of music, drama and lectures at the Ramada Hotel in Habberley Road where music lovers were treated to the jazz style of the John Dankworth Quintet.

Festival spokeswoman Carole Swingler said: "It was a really super opening, the quintet were great."

Comedienne Jenny Eclair - brought in to replace fellow funny woman Linda Smith - proved a hit with festival-goers, despite the late change in programme, Mrs Swingler said.

She added: "One or two people didn't like the language but you can't please everyone."

Actress Juliette Kaplan, meanwhile, gave a very different show the following evening with her one-woman play based on her character Pearl in TV's Last of the Summer Wine.

Mrs Swingler said Just Pearl was a "more gentle" play and rounded off a successful day which saw pianist Vincent Billington given a standing ovation for The Chopin Story at The George Hotel.

The festival was set to continue yesterday evening at Bewdley High School with a high-energy performance of the bard's complete works by The Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Antiques Roadshow presenter Eric Knowles will give a talk at the Ramada Hotel tonight while singer Elkie Brooks will also perform at the venue, on Friday evening.

Vocal group The Magnets will bring the festival to a close at the high school in Stourport Road on Saturday night.

Diary dates: Today - Sue Riches Journey to the North Pole (afternoon). Eric Knowles Antiques Antics. King Rich; Friday - Nicci and Sean French (afternoon). Elkie Brooks in Concert. The Riddlers; Saturday - Party Night with The Magnets.