It has a reputation for the being the country’s most relaxed festival; a family-friendly place where African drummers and Venezuelan salsa bands mix with Balkan gypsy groups, Celtic fiddlers and Argentinian tango dancers on the edge of the Cotswolds.

But it is the music of one particular island which is causing most excitement ahead of this weekend’s WOMAD festival – Jamaica.

Headlining the usually laid-back gathering at Charlton Park, in neighbouring Wiltshire, is dub reggae pioneer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. The veteran Caribbean producer and songwriter is regarded as a founding father of dub and breaks off from his European tour to play to fans at the World of Music And Dance event. The septuagenarian star will be joined by long-time collaborator Max Romeo for a soulful set of horizontal reggae.

The dub duo top a bill groaning with hundreds of artists from around the world, with acts hailing from everywhere from Spain to South Africa, Croatia to Congo, and Malawi to the Isle of Man.

“We are delighted to be able to host these two great reggae legends within this already exciting and unique line-up,” says festival director Chris Smith. “I’m sure they will be a highlight of the festival – and the WOMAD audience will have them on their must-see list.”

Other names to watch out for include UK Mercury Prize nominee Sam Lee, who plays music of the Romany gypsies; Mali’s politically outspoken Rokia Traore; Brazil’s 1960s ‘tropicalia’ revolutionary Gilberto Gil; Mokoomba from East Africa’s Victoria Falls; Nigeria’s Seun Kuti (son of the legendary Fela Kuti) and Afro-centric hip-hop act Arrested Development.

The fun starts tonight with a show by Algerian rai artist Rachid Taha and Italy’s Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio – who update Mozart’s Magic Flute with mambo, salsa, rock and country.

Dance music-wise there are sets from Brighton soul DJ Alice Russell and veteran turntablist David Rodigan MBE.

As ever, it is nothing if not eclectic. With cookery demonstrations, workshops, a festival market and traditional steam fair, music is only the half of it.

And with adult weekend tickets costing £145 and children under 13 getting in for free, it is a bit of a bargain. “WOMAD is cheaper than any of the top 10 festivals,” says Chris. “And with the usual varied line-up and all the other fun activities for all the family, it offers excellent value for money.”

  • WOMAD takes place at Charlton Park, Malmesbury from tonight until Sunday. Tickets are still available from womad.co.uk or call 0118 9606060.