BEWDLEY Festival is aiming to bounce back with a bang this autumn after the disappointment of last year's event being cancelled through Covid restrictions.

The popular festival, which has been running for more than 30 years, returns on October 8-16 - with highlights including legendary folk band Fairport Convention and Cerys Matthews MBE, former lead singer with indie band Catatonia.

Eight-piece folk/pop band Police Dog Hogan kick off the festival and comedian Dom Joly appears with his live show 'Holiday Snaps - Travel and Comedy in the Danger Zone', where he talks about his journeys to some of the scariest and most dangerous places in the world.

Former MP Tom Watson makes his debut at a festival when he presents Coming Home - giving reflections on his life in politics, books and music.

Fairport Convention are to play the festival as part of their postponed 50th anniversary tour and Cerys Matthews will showcase work from her new album We Come From The Sun, alongside festival favourite Liz Berry.

The daytime programme includes modelling workshops and film screenings.

There will also be performances from the likes of The Allegri Quartet, nature writer Stephen Moss, The Archers actor Carol Boyd and science presenter Greg Foot, who will give a presentation entitled The Future Of Food.

There is also an art exhibition, and the fourth Bewdley Duck House Trail will take place in Jubilee Gardens throughout October.