THERE are just three weeks to go before Kidderminster Arts Festival launches for another exciting month of arts and culture in the town centre.

Plans for the event - which is now in its 13th year and will launch on August 6 - are well underway, according Loz Samuels, who organises the festival for Wyre Forest District Council.

She said: "Kidderminster Arts Festival (KAF) is shaping up as varied and interesting as ever.

"Local artists and organisations have worked with us to come up with some amazing contributions.

"This year's KAF is all about the language of music. This gives us loads of scope for creativity without boundaries of age or musical taste.

"There is something to stimulate all the senses - from painting a coffin for your rock icon, hearing a candle lit tribute to John Bonham around his grave with songs by Kidderminster Male Choir, seeing an own and a pussy cat trying to write a song in the town hall, watching contemporary dance in the street and getting glam in St George's Park.

"Also, don't miss our beautiful shows for children over three-years and their families.

"As ever there is also something completely different and this year we are rocking and rolling at the 'Art of Tattoo' a boutique event which will fill the town hall with tattoo artists, themed merchandise and cabaret. We also have some great street theatre programmed on Saturdays throughout the month."

Local artist Kate Wragg has been commissioned by Kidderminster Creatives to design a project to celebrate the Sir Rowland Hill statue. You can also spot Sir Rowland looking very at home with his new guitar.

Councillor Sally Chambers, cabinet member for community well-being, added: "We are looking forward to this popular summer festival and we are really proud of the fact that visitors come to the area each year to take part and enjoy the event.

"Get KAF in your diary for August and do book your tickets online. There's a musical something for everyone and much of it is completely free."

For full details of the line-up and to book tickets for this year's festival, visit kidderminsterartsfestival.org.uk.

You can also follow Kidderminster Arts Festival on social media - by searching for 'Wyre Forest Arts' on Facebook, or @WyreForestArts on Twitter.

Tickets can also be purchased from Kidderminster Town Hall or the Tourist Information Centre in Bewdley.