A music and drama festival that has run for more than 120 years is set to host its 2024 edition in Carlisle next week.

Carlisle and District Music and Drama Festival begins on Monday 11 March, and runs for six days until Saturday 16 March, with a full programme of classes throughout the event.

During the week, classes will be held in St Cuthbert’s Church, the Tithe Barn and St George’s United Reform Church, all within easy walking distance of each other.

The festival has now been established for more than 120 years and is the second oldest such festival in the country.

It gives local amateur performers of all ages the chance to demonstrate their talent and compete in a variety of classes that cater for all interests. From vocal and instrumental music through drama to choric speaking, many local schools have once again entered their pupils to display the outstanding work that takes place in the classroom, preparing the children for performance while building confidence and developing life skills such as team-work and public speaking.

Alongside the schools, the open classes attract entries from across the county, and the age range of competitors stretches from five to 88.

News and Star: Warwick Bridge Primary School choir 2023Warwick Bridge Primary School choir 2023 (Image: Supplied)

For the audience, the festival 0ffers a week of excellent and varied entertainment with six full days of music, drama and speech.

The gala concert on Saturday evening at 6.30pm, to which all are welcome, provides a showcase of some of the best performances of the week and sees the presentation of trophies and awards to the winners from the week’s competitions.

Admission is £2 per day or become a patron and it's £10 for the whole week. For more information and details of individual classes, go to the festival website.