The annual Banstead Arts Festival is back with something for every one next month with a variety of performances, musical showcases and exhibitions, writes Lisa Holmes.

Now in its 35th year, the two-week event is run by the Banstead Arts Festival Society and is open to every one.

Rod McFarlane, from the society, says: "Many local groups are contributing to this year’s programme and we are very excited about it. "There is a wide variety of music - an orchestra, a male voice choir, chamber groups, an organist and a very versatile pianist.

"There are also walks, talks and an exhibition of paintings. So do come along and enjoy it."

According to tradition, the festival will open with the May Queen procession, crowning and fayre.

For fans of music, there are genres to suit all tastes with performances by the Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra, Cataleya Wind Quartet, Metropolitan Police Male Choir, Banstead Recorded Musical Society, Songs of Praise, Manon String Quartet, Matthew Bason, Harry the Piano and the Young Musicians Showcase.

For those interested in nature, there are walks through farmland and woods and over downs, a coach trip to Hampstead and a tour of All Saints’ churchyard in Banstead.

In terms of arts and literature, festival-goers can also enjoy a school’s poetry competition, an open-air exhibition of paintings and a lecture on an opera by Italian composer Verdi.

There will be an open evening organised by the Banstead Horticultural Society as well as a history talk on how the area was changed by the Second World War.

And later on in the summer, on Derby Day, soprano Patricia Hammond and St Cecilia Chorus will present Derby Day Musical Fun at Banstead Community Hall.

A great way of getting involved with the local arts community in Banstead, all proceeds from this year will go to Banstead’s YMCA.

Banstead Arts Festival, Banstead; Saturday, May 2, to Sunday, May 17, plus Saturday, June 6; call 01737 350288; email marionh.bafs@hotmail.co.uk; visit www.bansteadartsfestival.ticketsource.co.uk