MUSIC lovers from throughout the region are expected to descend on Durham City for its third brass festival.

Running throughout June and July, the festival features concerts with brass musicians from a variety of traditions.

It includes rising jazz superstar Dennis Rollins, regional brass band champions the Ever Ready Brass Band, the Real Macaws and the English Brass Ensemble.

The festival will also preview specially-commissioned works by Martin Harry, composer in residence at Durham University, and jazz musician John Warren.

The Ever Ready Brass Band and Durham University Brass Band will start the festivities, on Sunday, June 15, at Durham's Gala Theatre, from 7.30pm.

Their concert will mark the foundation of the Durham University Centre for Brass Band Studies. Both bands will be under the baton of conductor Ray Farr.

Also featuring in the festival will be Northern Brass, which will perform on Sunday, June 22, at Durham Town Hall.

Created for the first brass festival, the ensemble brings together seven accomplished brass instrumentalists, drawn from the cream of regional bands.

A full programme of concerts and workshops is available from Durham City Arts, on 0191-301 8245.