One of the main aims of the festival is to celebrate the wealth of musical talent in Louth and the surrounding area, and to support the hard work already taking place locally by thriving and popular groups and societies.

The launch of the festival will be announced by the ringing of the bells of St James' Church on Saturday at 10am.

The bells have a fascinating history spanning 500 years and have been rung on many notable and historic occasions, including Nelsons victory on the Nile, VE and VJ days and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

On the first day alone you can listen to Music in the Market Place as you do your Saturday morning shopping and wander down to Spout Yard Park to hear the Riverhead Silver Band perform.

On Saturday night visit the Kings Head to hear Hull band Influential Factor, join the July 4 celebrations at the New Orleans Queen Street Jazz Club at 8.30pm or be transported to the past by tribute band Dirty Dylan at the Riverhead Theatre at 7.30pm.

Sunday and Monday sees Eastern European style music at The Wheatsheaf pub, a Louth Choral Society concert at St James', Church (Sunday, 7.30pm), The Ollie Austin All Star Band at the Riverhead Theatre (Sunday, 7.30pm), a special film showing hosted by Louth Film Club followed by SNAK, a Grimsby based folk band playing at The Mason's Arms pub (Monday 9pm).

The week continues with an exciting choice of music ranging from David Roy-Martin singing musical and operatic favourites at Nichol Hill on Tuesday, Take Six classical concert at Westgate House in Westgate on Wednesday evening, a full line up of bands at The Kings Head over the week, soundLINCS workshops for schools on Thursday, Band From County Hell at Louth Town Hall on Friday at 8pm, dance music at Cobbles Bar, Louth Multi-arts open mic night and a special session of folk music at The Boars Head.

The week ends on Saturday July 11 with a special event in The Kings Head car park and a pie and peas Louth Folk Club Ceilidh at the Royal British Legion Hall in Northgate at 8pm.

Fa full list of all the entertainment go to the festival website www.louthmusicfestival.co.uk.

Tickets can be bought from Off the Beaten Tracks in Aswell Street, on 01507 607677and individual venues.

For more information call in for a coffee at Nichol Hill Methodist Church on Saturday July 4 between 10am and 1pm, where a central booking office will be operating.