Taffy and Chrissy Thomas are back on the festival platform staging another fascinating mix of tales and tuneful entertainment focused around the wonderful world of storytelling.

Staveley and Ings will be awash with entertainers from next Friday (September 24, 6pm) as the Grand Opening of this year's Lakeland Festival of Storytelling gets under way at Wilf's Caf stage, at Staveley's Bobbin Mill Yard.

Later (7.30pm), the Merryneet welcoming concert is staged at the village hall with stories and songs and a special appearance by musician Rory McLeod, singing songs of his travels. Rory provided the soundtrack for Nick Park's animation series Creature Comforts.

Saturday (September 25, 10am-11.30am) opens with Stories for Children at Staveley School, featuring Irish/Caribbean performing and storytelling duo, Spud and Yam, Keith Donnelly and Sunshine Arts.

Ings Parish Hall joins the fun with The 7 days of Creation (7.30pm-9pm) including a special performance by Pamela Marre, regarded as one of the most sensitive storytellers in the UK.

Jacqui Chan appears at several events including the Blow Ins concert at Staveley Village Hall (2.30pm-4pm) to celebrate the artistic heritage of the rich mix of culture found around the UK.

She is also an actress, theatre director, movement teacher and choreographer and incorporates physical theatre and dance into her storytelling performances and workshops.

Taffy himself conducts one of the annual festival favourites Ghost Stories by Firelight - on the Wilf's Caf outdoor stage (11pm-midnight) on Saturday night followed on the Sunday by a packed programme culminating in the Grand Finale Concert at Staveley Village Hall (2.30pm-4pm).

Festival regulars such as Panikatak, the Fosbrooks and Carolyn Francis are also on the bill, which includes 28 events across the three-day spectacular.

For bookings and full details contact Taffy's Tales in Trust on 015394-35641. Tickets for events are available from the festival office at Staveley Village Hall from 10am on September 24 and throughout the weekend.