The annual Sidmouth Folk Festival will soon be filling the town with music, dance and celebration.

This year a Folk Festival grand draw gives the opportunity to win £1,000 as well as a host of other prizes, including a second prize of £200. Tickets are £1 each.

Tickets are already on sale from the town's Tourist Information Centre on Ham Lane. During the festival itself, they will also be on sale at the festival's merchandise stalls and other venues around the town. The draw will take place on Thursday 10 August at the evening Ham Marquee concert.

The grand draw is being promoted by Sidmouth FolkWeek Ltd, which is the charity arm of the festival. Charity chair and regular festival MC, Derek Schofield said this week: "This is a new initiative to help support the extensive workshop and participation programme."

The festival, which is approaching its 70th year in Sidmouth, brings visitors from far and wide, boosting the town's economy and bringing high class cultural opportunities to our community.

The Sidmouth Folk Festival runs from 4 to 11 August, with two pre-festival special concerts on Thursday 3 featuring Fisherman's Friends, and on Friday 4 afternoon with chart-topping singer Barbara Dickson.

Festival guests include sibling harmony singers The Unthanks, Quebec band Le Vent Du Nord, folk-rockers Lindisfarne, the Eliza Carthy Trio, and Steeleye Span singer Maddy Prior. There is also the usual full range of dances, children's and youth events, workshops and dance displays.

Tickets for festival events are available online via the website or from the Tourist Information Centre.