KEEP your diaries free for the rest of the year as Number 8 unveils its jam-packed season of events.

The programme kicks-off with a total film fest for children, with all the latest flicks including Over the Hedge, The Wild, Curious George and Ice Age 2: The Meltdown.

From Monday, August 21, youngsters can dance their socks off at the first-ever week-long dance residency for children. Classes for children aged five to seven and eight to 12 are run by resident dance worker Liz Crosswell.

The dancers will holiday without leaving Pershore, dancing their way through continents and their imagination and finishing the week with a performance for family and friends.

As the autumn season kicks-in, Pershore Jazz Festival begins on Friday, September 8 and runs until Sunday, September 10.

Temperance Seven will be one of the many acts performing over the weekend. Other musical events include ABBA Max, A Celebration of Flanders & Swann and Mark Bebbington - Piano Recital III.

The highlight of the programme will be a visit from BBC Radio 2 Horizon winner Julie Fowlis, who hails from the remote island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.

Julie is the first Gaelic artist to be nominated for a coveted BBC Radio 2 Folk Award and was voted Gaelic Singer of the Year 2005 at the Scots Traditional Music Awards.

For ballet fans, the Full House Theatre Company returns to Number 8 with Beauty and the Beast and the Vienna Festival Ballet will present two ballets for the Christmas season, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

PODS will also be in the festive spirit with their week-long production of White Christmas, seasonal fare of festiveness, fun and family entertainment.

In October, a touch of Spain will enthuse audiences with a visit by Seville-based Jaleo Flamenco. There will also be South African dance by Tribhangi Dance Theatre and a new 'Chance to Dance' course for 55-year-olds plus.

Chance to Dance is a 14-week course, which includes a free ticket to see Tribhangi and the opportunity to work with the company prior to the performance.

Number 8 will also be screening films four nights a week, including box office hits such as The Da Vinci Code and Pirates of the Caribbean 2, Dead Man's Chest.

For a full programme of events for August to December, contact the box office on 01386 555488.