OXFORD Festival of the Arts has appointed a new director.

Dr Michelle Castelletti, 44, is a Maltese conductor, composer and curator who will start work at next year's festival.

She was previously artistic director at the Malta International Arts Festival and the Royal Northern College of Music.

Dr Castelletti has received several awards, including the prestigious Times Higher Education Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts in 2015.

This year's festival runs from 23 June to 7 July, with a full programme of events at artsfestivaloxford.org/whats-on