THE 80th HEREFORDSHIRE Performing Arts Festival opens at The Courtyard on Sunday with a full day of woodwind performances.

Gillian Johnston is back to adjudicate these classes and the following day she will be listening to the brass and recorder performances.

There are more than 1000 entries, 600 in the speech and drama section, which will run from Monday to Friday with two adjudicators, Eleanor Macleod and Jonathan Owen, who have both visited the festival once before.

There will be more than 400 vocal and musical performances during the week, with Tuesday morning seeing 16 primary school choirs on The Courtyard stage, followed in the afternoon by seven secondary school choirs.

A lovely morning of dance takes place at the Shirehall, where, amongst other performances, World War One will be depicted in the Creative Dance Class.

The Festival runs from Sunday to Friday, March 28, culminating in a Gala Concert on Saturday, March 29. All performances are open to the public at a charge of £1.50 per session. To book tickets for the concert, call The Courtyard box office on 01432 340555.

For details of the timetable, visit herefordfestival.org