TICKETS for shows at this year’s Bewdley Arts Festival are already selling out fast, delighted organisers have revealed.

The Box Office for the October festival opened at 10am on Saturday (July 25) and saw people queuing outside Bewdley’s Tourist Information Centre and busy phone lines at Worcester Live Box Office.

One eager festival goer, Richard Warder from Stourport, arrived two hours before the centre opened – complete with a seat and snacks – to ensure he got tickets he wanted for Leo Sayer and Toyah Wilcox.

Organisers confirmed that all tickets for Leo Sayer’s show have sold out while other shows are well on their way to full capacity.

Dave Collins, Festival’s Marketing and Publicity Officer, said: “The weather was kind and by 10.00am a well humoured, enthusiastic queue had formed.

“There was a general consensus that this year’s line-up is better than ever and tickets were in demand across the board.

“The music is selling well – Leo Sayer is already sold out, Toyah Wilcox is well on the way and Mari Wilson’s Ready Steady Girls show offers a Saturday night alternative to watching England v Uruguay in the Rugby World Cup.

“Tickets in demand for famous names from TV were Dr Phil Hammond, Antiques Roadshow favourites Hilary Kay and Paul Atterbury, food critic Jay Rayner and anatomist and presenter Alice Roberts.

“Our regular historical performers Max Keen and Lesley Smith are as popular as ever, and other daytime events from Pigeons in War to the History of Mr Punch are all selling well.

“All in all, a very promising start to the 28th year of Bewdley Arts Festival.”

Tickets can be purchased from Worcester Live on 01905 611427 or in person at Bewdley Tourist Information Centre, in Load Street.