Ed FossTickets are now on sale for a Norfolk summer arts festival and members of the public will be able to pick from a long list of theatre, music, comedy, fine art, dance and cinema.Ed Foss

Members of the public will be able to buy tickets for a Norfolk summer arts festival from today and will be able to pick from a long list of theatre, music, comedy, fine art, dance and cinema.

The Holt Summer Festival held its inaugural event last year with the intention of bringing 'eclectic performance of national and international standard' to north Norfolk. The success of 2009 led organisers to confirm the event would be held annually.

This year's line up has been put together by artistic director Tony Britten, who has introduced the two themes of anniversaries and plucked instruments.

Mr Britten said that based on comments from festival goers last year, he was particularly keen for people to experience something new to them as well as buying tickets for acts they were already familiar with.

'I would encourage you to try something that is new to you - it's one evening out of your life, on the doorstep and affordable,' said Mr Britten.

The festival runs from July 25 to 31 inclusive and will include free events and family entertainment.

It will open with the first themed event, a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Anton Chekhov's birth with Royal Shakespeare Company actor Michael Pennington's award-winning, one-man show 'Anton Chekhov'.

A long list of other performers include renowned guitarist Martin Taylor and his reformed group 'Spirit of Django'; The Academy of St Martin in the Fields with guitar soloist Morgan Syzmanski; Matthew Wadsworth and Robert Howarth performing 'Masters of the Lute'; and a Lieder Recital celebrating the 200th anniversary of Schumann's birth and the 150th anniversary of Wolf's birth.

The finale event 'Blues in the Woods' concentrates on the blues, with particular emphasis on blues guitar.

The entertainment will begin in the afternoon with rising Norfolk star Oli Brown and his band followed by ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor and his band, culminating with The Blues Band headlining the event.

Among the other offerings will be two stand-up comedy nights, children's theatre, an evening with BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham, nightly cinema and a new addition of fine art.

There will also be an extended programme of free events this year, including workshops on mime, comedy, writing and crafts.

t The box office opens today from 10am to 2pm. It will be open from Monday to Saturday at these times until July 10. From then until July 31 it will extend its hours to 10am to 4pm. Call 01263 712635.

The address for the Holt Summer Festival Box Office is c/o Cockertons Chartered Surveyors, 1a Market Place, Holt, NR25 6BE.

A festival brochure is available, giving full details of events or visit www.holtsummerfestival.org.

People who have paid to join the festival friends scheme have been able to buy tickets in advance.