ALISON CROOSE Two musical icons - the legendary pianist Alfred Brendel and world-famous soprano Lesley Garrett - will head the line-up of famous names at this summer's King's Lynn Festival.

ALISON CROOSE

Two musical icons - the legendary pianist Alfred Brendel and renowned soprano Lesley Garrett - will head the line-up of famous names at this summer's King's Lynn Festival.

Alfred Brendel is 75 this year and rarely appears outside London, but will give his first recital at King's Lynn on July 27.

Lesley Garrett, who prompted a great rush for tickets when she appeared at the Lynn Festival two years ago, is returning with a new programme of songs from films, musicals and opera on July 18.

Comedian and best-selling author Tony Hawks, historian Richard Holmes and columnist and former MP Matthew Parris, are among personalities taking part in the festival, which runs from July 16-29.

Classical music provides the cornerstones of the programme, which also features the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Brodsky Quartet.

The festival's artistic director Ambrose Miller said: "We are very fortunate to have attracted such a distinguished musician as Alfred Brendel. He is acknowledged as one of the greatest pianists of the day and I'm sure people will travel from far and wide to his recital.

"Lesley Garrett's visit two years ago was a huge success and we are delighted she is to return with a new programme and a band of musicians.

" Two such big names heading a programme including the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Brodsky Quartet and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, underlines that Lynn Festival is maintaining its tradition of excellence."

The Orchestra of the Swan from Stratford will team up with King's Lynn Festival Chorus for a programme including Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Mozart's Requiem, which will open the festival.

There will be another series of five coffee concerts featuring rising stars of the classical music world, and an Early Music day on July 22. The Princess of Wales' childhood home, Park House at Sandringham, will be the setting for an afternoon event entitled Schubert and Strawberries on July 23.

BBC Radio Norfolk's Tony Mallion will be in conversation with Tony Hawks about his new book, A Piano in the Pyrenees, on July 23 and Matthew Parris will be one of the speakers at the literary dinner on July 21.

Mr Mallion will also chair a special edition of BBC Radio Norfolk's light-hearted panel game, Should The Team Think? on July 24. The panel will feature Keith Skipper, Roy Waller, Sid Kipper and Stephen Bumfrey.

The festival brochure, with booking information will be available in early May. Call 01553 767557.