THE fourth annual Gillingham Festival starts this weekend, offering a wide range of entertainment, including a 10k run and the chance to see some of the biggest names in folk music.

Tomorrow the town plays host to the UK's first annual barbecue cook-off with the all-day folk music extravaganza following on Sunday.

Festival director Mark White said: "We really do have the cream of the UK's folk talent lined up for the event, which is the biggest one-day folk festival to be held anywhere in the south west."

Headlining the event at North Dorset Rugby Club, Slaughtergate, in Longbury Hill Lane, will be Scottish band Salsa Celtica, whose heady blend of Celtic-Cuban sounds have proved a hit with audiences all over the world.

Joining them on the bill will be UK folk veterans Oysterband, the flute-driven sounds of Flook, singer-songwriter Mike Silver, the distinctive voice of Cara Dillon, festival mainstays The Huckleberries and acclaimed duo Kirsty McGee and Mat Martin.

Highlights for later in the week include UK folk treasure Kate Rusby, The Manfreds, John Williams, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Richard Digance and many more.

Other highlights include a family sports weekend and a 10km run and 3km fun run plus craft and food weekends on July 7-8 and July 14.

The barbecue cook-off will be held at Town Bridge Meadow, High Street, and the event will also feature a busking competition as well as music performed by students from Gillingham School and Gillingham Silver Band.

For tickets to any of these highlights, contact Shaftesbury and Gillingham Tourism Services on 01747 853514 or visit the website gillinghamfestival.org.uk