A POPULAR arts festival will return to a County Durham town to keep youngsters and adults entertained during the half-term holidays.

Now in its eighth year, FebFest will see numerous artistic events and attractions taking place in and around Bishop Auckland between Monday, February 18, and Thursday, February 28.

The festival will start with a screening of Disney Pixar hit Brave (PG) at 1.30pm at the Eden Theatre in bishop Auckland Town Hall on Monday, February 18.

Entry will cost £3.

During that week there will also be numerous art classes and workshops around the town, including glass bowl making, animation, lino printing, Manag art portraits and batik fabric painting.

For more information on any of the workshops collect a programme from Bishop Auckland Town Hall or call 01388-602610.

At 7pm on Monday, February 25, Salt, a mixture of stories and songs performed by ken Patterson, Richard Stock and Chris Bostock, will be held at the town hall with tickets costing £6 for adults and £4 concessions.

A Journey, a musical piece depicting a journey through the Anglo-Saxon era will be premiered at the Saxon Church in Escomb near Bishop Auckland at 7pm on Tuesday, February 26, and entry is free.

On Wednesday, February 27, there will be a free lecture at 2pm about the Lindisfarne Gospels in the Zurbaran Room in Auckland Castle while on Thursday, February 28, harpist Venera Bojkova will perform a free concert at 1pm in the castle’s chapel.