The event, organised by Aylesbury Vale District Council and Aylesbury Town Council, is in its tenth year of bringing fun, colour and entertainment to the town.

The stage is set for a vibrant and eclectic mix of styles and sounds that will showcase some of today's most original and inspiring artists from the music world, and all for free.

The quality and breadth of this year's line-up means that the festival will appeal to a wide range of audiences, from the most avid music lover to those simply looking for a great family day out.

The Park Bench Social Club will get the festival off to a lively start on 26 July with a sumptuous array of up-beat folk songs. The Newcastle-based three-piece, consisting of award-winning Scottish fiddler Ross Couper, Canadian guitar and mandolin expert Aiden Curran and Bhodran player Will Lang, are part of a new generation of bands emerging in the UK.

Aylesbury will be jumping to the sounds of the Congo when top African band Kasai Masai hit town on 2 August. The group, led by Nickens Nkoso, play ancestral music which has been passed down from generation to generation. Their sound is rooted in the healing power of percussion, Congolese folk guitar and jazz saxophone.

Mambo Jambo will provide Cuban, Latin & Brazilian sounds in the town centre on 9 August. The

sheer enthusiasm of the band's music combined with their wonderful stage presence creates an act that will be loved by any audience.

Oleg Ponomarev, one of the leading composers of contemporary world music, will be appearing with his band Koshka on 16 August. They perform styles as diverse as classical, folk and Hot Club jazz.

A performance by the Silk String Quartet, Europe's only Chinese string quartet, will entertain the crowds on 23 August. The group combines traditional and modern, Chinese and Western music in a fresh and creative way.

The festival will close on 30 August with performances from local bands John Zealey with Ian Moore, God of Small Things, Bridgefield and Benjamin Weston.

Councillor David Thompson, AVDC Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: "This has been a very successful event over the past 10 years and we are hoping it will be even more popular this year. It is an excellent way to hear a wide variety of music and listen to up-and-coming bands."

Mayor of Aylesbury, Councillor Penni Thorne, said: "The many differing styles of music being offered ensures that there is something to suit everyone and it will bring people into the town."

All the performances begin at approximately 11.30am and 1pm by the John Hampden statue at the top of Market Square, with the exception of the local bands day which takes place between 11am and 2.30pm. For further information, please visit the district council's website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/leisure-culture or call the leisure team on 01296 585210.