A SCENIC Worcestershire town will burst in to life with colour and sound this summer as a popular festival returns.

Upton Blues Festival, which is held all around the streets and in the pubs of Upton-upon-Severn, returns from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19.

This year is the festival's 14th year, after it was first started by half a dozen bands playing in a local pub.

Oliver Carpenter, chairman of the organising committee, said the festival is "in its prime".

"We are very proud of the Blues Festival. We have more than 100 gigs on and it's all free to attend. But there's always such a buzz about the festival. I think because it's not just in one place, it's throughout the town, so you can hear the music in the street and it just creates this wonderful atmosphere," he said.

"It's quite overwhelming. Each year we have people travel from all over the country, and some from father afield, to enjoy the festival. We get so many good comments and reviews after each festival, it's really nice.

"Because it's all free and non-ticketed, it's hard to know how many people we actually get turn up each year, but we definitely get more than 2,000 camping and roughly 15,000 people in total."

As well as street and pub performances, there are two main festival stages — Riverside and Sportsfield.

The line up for the two stages includes Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges, Curtis Eller's American Circus, Stevie Nimmo, the Mustangs, Northsyde, Chris Hall's Louisiana Swamp Band, Brooks Williams, Lol Goodman Band, King Size Slim and many more.

"We want as many people to get involved as possible. I think among young people especially at times they can think that blues is all about an old guy up on stage doing 10 minute guitar solos, but really it couldn't be further from the truth.

"I think because the music happens all around the town it doesn't feel as detached from the rest of the world.

"The festival has always been good but for the past few years it has been incredible, it's hard to put in to words. We know this amazing vibe about it may not last forever but I can see it sticking around for a few more years at least."

For more information visit www.uptonbluesfestival.org.uk.