PLANS are well under way for the third West Malvern Arts Festival which takes place next month.

The festival will be held in various venues ranging from gazebos and private garages to St James’ Church, West Malvern Primary School and the Brewers Arms, between Friday and Sunday, August 17 and 19.

This year, the festival is likely to be hosting more than 80 artists, showcasing a wide variety of work ranging from sculpture and jewellery to glassware and calligraphy, as well as painters, photography and mixed media.

In the run-up to the festival, a group from the festival’s committee visited the French village of Saint-Cénerie-le- Gérie in southern Normandy, where the concept for the festival was found.

The French festival features about 37 artists and has been held in late May for the past 27 years.

During their visit the group met Monsieur Guillaume Le Royer, the president of the French Arts Festival committee, who was “delighted” to hear that West Malvern had copied their model.

Entry for both artists and the public is free.

Any artist wishing to participate should contact Laurie Gregory on 07801 8181260.