PREPARATIONS are in full swing for the Wye Valley River Festival, which runs from April 29 to May 15.

A spokesperson for the festival says: “The full programme has just been launched. It features an amazingly creative partnership of actors, singers, musicians and dancers, bringing to life the central narrative and sweeping downstream creating magic, mayhem and laughter.

“It includes fire and flame, music, choirs, shows and performances, culminating at Chepstow Racecourse on Sunday, May 15 with a fabulous finale. The first festival in 2014 attracted audiences of around 20,000, making a significant contribution to the local economy. This year we’re hoping to top that.”

Celebrating the River Wye and its connections to rivers and people around the world, the biennial Wye Valley River Festival is led by the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) unit collaborating with local communities.

For more information visit www.wye

valleyaonb.org.uk