ORGANISERS of this year's Mapp Fest promises the best line-up ever for the festival in the shadow of the Malvern Hills.

The venue as always is the Malvern Link Common, and among the highlights of the family-friendly festival is a flypast by the RAF's classic World War Two Dakota aircraft.

Organiser Lisa Nash said: "We have some really wonderful bands; after 756 acts applied to play this year, it was a hard choice to narrow it down, but it means we can bring the best mix of music ever to the foothills of the Malverns.

"With well-known local bands such as Time Of The Mouth, Mike Knowles and the STDs, Tone Tanner, Fort Royal and Institutes, and bands from further afield like San Blas who bring us a party with a uke, or Tabitha Jade with her youthful hip-hop style, there is punk, rockabilly, folk, country, acoustic, jazz, blues, rock and ska all represented on stage.

"As well as four stages of live music, we have stalls, children's rides, food vendors and bars. Its a great weekend for all ages, and we also have another fantastic flyover, this year from the RAF Dakota."

Mappfest is being held this year on Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17, with music from noon to 10pm on Saturday and noon to 8pm on Sunday.

This year, the festival is supporting Headway, St Richards Hospice, Charlotte and Craig's Saving Hearts Foundation and Malvern Community Action.

There will be a park-and-ride from Victoria Park to the event, Malvern Link station is just over the road and the last act finishes before the last trains and buses run, making it really easy to get to.