A LINE-up of big names has been announced for one of the region's top arts festivals and a new spring gala concert.

The concert, at Ripon Cathedral on May 21, will feature the Orchestra of Opera North and award-winning opera singers Martene Grimson and James Harrison.

Under the baton of the Polish conductor Janusz, they will perform overtures and arias from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte and the Magic Flute.

The eighth Ripon International Festival will take place from September 3 to 17.

The programme will include the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; the Goldberg Chamber Orchestra; the YBS Band; the Chilingirian Quartet and the baroque ensemble Red Priest.

Also featured will be Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanski; Japanese artist Joji Hirota and the Taiko Drummers; actress Philippa Urquhart; comic writer David Nobbs; and an exhibition by Ripon Art Festival.

For booking information, call (01765) 605508.