ORGANISERS of a festival of drama and music have lined up their most wide-ranging and ambitious programme so far.

This year's Ripon International Festival, being staged for the fourth year, is hoping to attract audiences from across the region to a series of concerts and productions in and around the city.

Ripon Cathedral will be the venue for three major events, hosting the London Bach Orchestra and the Northern Sinfonia, as well as the Rossica Choir of St Petersburg.

The festival runs from September 15 to 23 and will be opened by young Spanish guitarist Daniel Casares, at Ripon Grammar School.

Stage and literary celebrities also feature strongly this year, with West End stars Barbara Jefford and Geraldine McEwan appearing together on a rare visit to the North.

Writer and broadcaster Michael Holroyd will be giving a talk on literary biography.

A free brochure of all events is available on (01765) 605508