FOLLOWING a very successful debut, the second annual Upton-upon-Severn Cajun and Zydeco Festival begins today (Friday).

Crowds are expected to travel from across the country to The Swan Hotel, Upton and Hanley Castle High School for three days of Deep South music and dancing.

The fun kicks off at 6.30pm tonight at the Swan Hotel when local duo the Blues Anoraks take to the stage. At 8pm at the school, K-Zee will be playing a mixture of traditional and modern Cajun numbers with additional swing tunes for those in the mood to jive.

On Saturday, blues band Catfish start the day off at 11.30am in the Swan. At the school, a dance workshop followed by a dance with Zyderythmics starts at 2.30pm, followed by another workshop and dance with the Hackney Ramblers.

I've Just Seen Roger, a local modern and Irish folk group, play at the Swan from noon on Sunday. At 2pm The Boat Band play at the school, followed by swing group Elvis Fontenot and the Sugar Bees at 7pm.

A weekend ticket costs £36 and day tickets are £16. Tickets to individual dances are £8.

Organiser Martyn Smith said the festival was meant to recreate the atmosphere of music and dancing after a hard day's work in Louisiana.

"Cajun music is growing in popularity and it has evolved over the years. It's the kind of event where people of all ages could enjoy themselves," he said.

For more information call Martyn on 07881 820650 or visit www.ca jun-zyde.co.uk.