THOUSANDS are expected to attend the 34th annual nine-day Monmouth Festival over the next week.

The free event, which started on Friday, is one of the longest-running festivals of its kind in the UK,

The busking festival returned to the Agincourt Square on Saturday for the third consecutive year, with musicians performing throughout Monmouth's streets from the morning onwards.

The festival singalong, which has become a staple of the event, will once again take place at the Savoy Theatre with West Side Story the musical of choice.

The main festival's three stages will be situated at the Blestium, Three Horse Shoes pub and St Mary's Church.

A fringe festival will have venues across the town along with various stalls displaying local foods and wares.

According to Mark Williamson, one of the festival's three directors, the number of people attending the festival has 'swelled' in recent years.

He added: "We will have a broad spectrum of music from covers to jazz, rock to pop, indie to soul.

"We like to think there's something for everyone here."

The festival will run until Saturday July 30.

For the full lineup and more information, visit www.monmouthfestival.co.uk