A tiny Norfolk village is to come under the spotlight as cohorts of local artists, painters and sculptors take part in one of the county's largest contemporary arts festivals.

A tiny Norfolk village is to come under the spotlight as cohorts of local artists, painters and sculptors take part in one of the county's largest contemporary arts festivals.

Welborne, near Dereham, is to see its population swell tenfold over the weekend when more than 1,000 visitors and 50 artists will revel in a variety of activities, from top quality visual art, music, literature and performance to archive film shows and flower arrangements.

The festival - which takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm - has a theme of 'Skies Above and Earth Below' and will be held in and around the 11th century All Saints Church.

New Zealander Juliet Arnott will be the event's artist in residence, exhibiting her latest hazel sculptures in the churchyard. Her work will be complemented by other artists' life-size sculptures. Sussex-based theatre Rotto productions will present the festival's first puppet show - My Tree - a contemporary fairy story for families. There will also be readings from local novelists, while award-winning poet Daljit Nagra will be the festival's special literary guest.

“We are expecting around 1,000 people to attend the events at Welborne,” said Mike Webb, the festival's organiser.

“Since we first organised a touring art exhibition in the village seven years ago, the festival has grown from strength to strength. “Last year we had around 900 people, but now we're expecting well over 1,000 visitors.”

Mr Webb said Welborne was a small community with no more than 150 residents who enjoy taking part in the activities and making their own contribution to the special days.

“Around 100 people in the village will be helping out with car parking or stewarding. We very much like to think this is a community event which brings us together.

“Half of our purpose is also to encourage local talent and to bring different types of art to people who normally don't have the opportunity to come across it in their daily lives,” Mr Webb said.

The East Anglian Traditional Music Trust will give talks and demonstrations and Dereham Band is expected to perform at a special concert in All Saints Church.

Sheringham Town Crier Tony Nelson will be a key attraction as he returns for the second year.

Daytime admission is £2.50, children under 16 free. The festival programme can be seen on www.welborne.org.uk or contact the festival office for further information on 01362 850327.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

t 11.15 am Annette Rolston and Mike Fenton demo

t 11.30am Tessa West reading and book sales

t 11.30am Beth Webb writing workshop

t 11.45am Windmill handbell ringers

t 12.15pm Annette Rolston and Mike Fenton demo

t 12.30pm Puppet workshop

t 12.45pm Simon Hallett - singer

t 1pm 'Earth' printing workshop for children - inspired by Aboriginal art - with Victoria Langley

t 2pm Simon Scarrow reading and book sales

t 2pm Tessa West writing workshop

t 2pm Strummer - singer

t 2.15pm InPrint group poetry reading

t 2.45pm Tina Wegg - singer

t 3pm Beth Webb reading and book sales

t 3pm My Tree puppet show

t 3.15pm InPrint box making

t 3.30pm Schools performance

t 4.30pm Festival closes

SUNDAY, JUNE 17

t 11.15am Annette Rolston and Mike Fenton demo

t 11.30am Beth Webb reading and book sales

t 11.30am Tessa West writing workshop

t 11.45am East Anglian Traditional Music Trust

t 12.15pm Annette Rolston and Mike Fenton demo

t 12.30pm Daljit Nagra reading and book sales

t 12.30pm Puppet workshop

t 12.45pm East Anglian Traditional Music Trust (inside church if wet)

t 2pm Sarah Bower reading and book sales

t 2pm Beth Webb writing workshop

t 2pm East Anglian Traditional Music Trust

t 2.15pm InPrint group poetry reading

t 2.30pm 'Sky' weaving workshop for children with Victoria Langley

t 2.30pm Clowning workshop

t 2.45pm East Anglian Traditional Music Trust

t 3pm My Tree puppet show

t 3pm Tessa West reading and book sales

t 3.15pm InPrint box making - InPrint marquee

t 3.30pm East Anglian Traditional Music Trust

t 4pm Festival finale circus

Also, throughout the day:

t Berni Marfleet and his metal sculptures;

t Hazel weaving with Juliet Arnott;

t Foolhardy Folk Clowns (from 11.30am);

t Archive film in the church (loops every 20 minutes);

t Make your own 'skies above and earth below' in the Activities marquee;

t Borrow books from Dereham library.