TOP storytellers from around the country are clearing their throats in readiness for a veritable verbal banquet of legends, myths, sagas and superstitions, spiced by a little music and dance.

Hosted by Taffy Thomas, the doyen of taletellers himself, the 'Linking of the Chain' Lakeland Millennium Storytelling Festival focuses on Staveley and Ings and kicks off at Wilf's Cafe Stage, in Staveley's Bobbin Mill Yard next Friday (September 29) at 6pm.

Taffy will be accompanied for the Grand Opening by the street theatre Chipolata Five, and storytellers Ben Haggerty and Tuup.

Merryneet follows-on in Staveley Village Hall (7.30pm) with guest appearances plus a special performance by Lancashire actor and man of many words Bernard Wrigley.

Meanwhile, down the road at The Watermill Inn, Ings, folk band Panic Attack and guest tellers perform from 9pm.

Saturday's 13 events start with Stories for Children at 10am-12noon at Wilf's Cafe, with local historian and raconteur George Harrison leading a story walk from Bobbin Mill Yard (10.30-11.30am).

The day's other treats include Chips for Lunch - an outdoor spectacular featuring the clog dancing and musical folk performers The Fosbrooks and Chipolata Five; An Hour with Ben Haggerty at the Eagle and Child (1-2pm); and two processions, one at 4.15pm (the other at 10.30), when the Chipolata Five lead the way to Ghosts Stories by Firelight, again at Wilf's Cafe.

The festival is the culmination of a year-long Millennium project run by Taffy and Chrissy Thomas's Dancetales.

At Staveley Village Hall (2.15-4.15pm) there will be a special concert to celebrate the climax of their yarn-spinning efforts.

Sunday begins in a reverent mood: Hugh Lupton and Taffy appear during a church service at St James's (9.30am), with Werca's Folk Choir and Tuup at Ings's St Ann's (11am).

There's also a workshop and Tales by the Wayside and more street theatre.

Strangers to the truth line-up at the Watermill Inn are in for an hour of porky pies (12noon-1pm) featuring guests and regulars from Wasdale's annual Biggest Liar in the World Competition.

The Grand Finale Concert in Staveley Village Hall from 2-4pm, wraps up what promises to be a wonderful and imaginative weekend.

Details of weekend tickets and tickets for individual events are available from Dancetales, call 015394-35641.