ARTISTS, craftsmen and performers from Wyre Forest are poised to take part in an event billed as Worcestershire's "biggest free event".

The Skills on Show festival, organised by Worcestershire County Council's arts service, will take place this weekend at County Hall, Worcester.

Wyre Forest artists involved in the extravaganza include silk paper textile artist Tracey Ayre-Massey, from Hartlebury, and contemporary bag and canvas designer Luisa Clarke, from Offmore, Kidderminster.

Kidderminster puppeteer Mary Baulk's Butterfly Theatre will be performing children's puppet shows using her own original stories and characters.

Visitors to the summer event, which features more than 200 exhibitors and attracted more than 13,500 visitors last year, can see, hear and taste the county's best music, arts, crafts, food and drink.

Chaddesley county councillor Stephen Clee said he was confident the weekend would be "one of the best free family events for miles around".

"Wyre Forest is a hotbed of creativity and I'm delighted to see such a great showing of local people," he added.

"Together with the hundreds of performers, artists and exhibitors from every other area of Worcestershire, I'm sure they'll put on a great show for the thousands of visitors we expect."

More information on the show can be obtained from the county council's events organisers on 01905 766337.