A MAJOR arts festival launched in Redditch yesterday culminates with a jam-packed day of events in the town centre on Saturday.

The Redditch Community Art Festival Event (CAFE) aims to raise awareness of the wealth of arts activities going on in the borough and gives townspeople the chance to get involved.

A variety of 15-minute performances take place in the Kingfisher Centre from 9.30am on Saturday, including singing, dancing, drama and poetry as well as various static displays.

The Ecumenical Centre will be filled with groups dancing, singing and making music.

Youth workshops are being held all day in the town hall and dramatic

societies and singers will perform at the Palace Theatre.

There will also be displays and tours of the Alcester Street theatre while the Victorian bandstand, in Church Green, will be occupied by a wind band.

Events marked "Open Door" are free taster evenings and some will be filmed

for the Kingfisher Centre video wall.

Radio Wyvern is also set to broadcast from the festival.

A CAFE committee spokesman said: "The committee anticipates a fun-packed day, full of opportunities for everyone to take part in creative activities and entertainment.

"A great deal of hard work has gone into the preparation of the event by many people.

"We are grateful for the support given to us by, among others, the Kingfisher Centre and the Palace Theatre."