Musicians from the Wantage area and beyond are polishing their performances in preparation for the town's 26th annual music festival.

The event, which will be held at St Mary's School, Wantage, from Wednesday, July 17 until Monday, July 22, offers instrumentalists and singers of all ages an opportunity to perform before an audience.

Between 250 and 300 musicians and singers are expected to take part in this year's festival, with entrants travelling from across the south of England to perform.

Competition secretary Christine Birch said: "The festival is regarded by both adjudicators and entrants as a friendly competition, where people can come to enjoy playing and listening to other people perform."

For a small fee, members of the public have a chance to listen to music ranging in style from classical to jazz.

Classes continue into the evening, so people can unwind after a day at work by listening to live music. Violin maker and repairer Guinevere Sommers-Hill, from Uffington, near Wantage, will have a display at the festival on Friday, July 19, with information about caring and maintaining instruments.

Ms Sommers-Hill, who was trained at the Newark violin-making school, will also be demonstrating her craft throughout the day.

One of the highlights of the Wantage Music Festival is the competition for the John Durrant Award, named after the festival's founder. Adjudicators nominate outstanding young performers to take part in the competition, which will be held at 6pm in St Mary's School main hall on Sunday, July 21.

This year, the competition will be judged by flute-player Hilary du Pre, Jacqueline du Pre's sister, and vocalist Alison Mary Sutton.

New for 2002 is a Junior Vocal Championship for the festival's most talented young singers, which has been introduced alongside the Senior Vocal Championship.

The vocal championships will follow the John Durrant Award competition at 7.15pm.

Admission to hear class entrants perform is free for children. Tickets, entitling adults to entry to all of the festival classes, cost £2.50.

Friends of the Festival, who are asked to make a minimum donation of £15, or £23 per couple, are entitled to free admission to all classes and events and a free programme.

The festival will culminate with a concert on Monday, July 22, at 7.30pm, in the main hall.