A COUNTY town will once again ring to the sound of hot jazz this summer when a major music spectacle hits the streets.

The 18th International Oliver Cromwell Jazz Festival is to be held over the weekend of June 27-29 in the picturesque riverside town of Upton-upon-Severn.

And, as usual, there will be something for everyone, with a wide-ranging programme of old-style New Orleans, Dixieland, Traditional, Swing, Hot Club and comedy acts.

The sessions will be held in three large marquees and one small piano bar marquee on Fish Meadow by the River Severn.

Music will also be staged in more intimate venues in the town, such as the unique setting beneath the road on the west bridge abutment where jazz fans can listen to bands while watching the river traffic pass by.

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All venues offer covered seated accommodation and are within walking distance of each other.

Visitors will be able to buy a day or weekend stroller ticket and wander around the venues indulging in their favourite style or sampling all the music on offer.

Sessions start on Friday at midday and continue until 11.50pm on Sunday.

There will be 10 venues and more than 50 bands to choose from throughout the weekend.

Highlight of the festival is the Saturday morning Mardi Gras parade through Upton, featuring two marching bands. The Energy Dancers will be in attendance and the "Secondliners" will fill the town with a huge splash of colour.

Their decorated umbrellas always provide a stunning sight as their owners follow the bands from the Parish Church to the riverside in true New Orleans style, to the delight of the crowds lining the route.

This year, the Festival extends a warm welcome to several bands on their first visit to the festival.

These include Les Gigolos (France), Casablanca Steps, Martin Bennett on piano, Ivan Henderson Scottish Ragtime Band, Sue Kibbey, John Critchinson and Friends, Gordon Whitworth's Bix Tribute Band, Fidgety Feet, Louis Armstrong All Star Band, New Gateway Jazzband, Catherine Gang, Dave Shepherd together with many on return visits, including Lamarotte (Holland) and Fapy Lafertin (Belgium) Quartet.

Full camping/caravaning facilities and free parking is available for ticket holders only on Fish Meadow by the jazz marquees.

Children 14 and under go free with an adult ticket holder. There are concessions for jazz fans who book tickets in advance by June 21.

For a booking form and information contact The Festival Office, 18 Riverside Close, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcester WR8 0JN. Tel/Fax 01684 593254 or e-mail: info@uptonjazz.co.uk. Visit the Festival web- site at http://www.uptonjazz.co.uk