St George's dragon emerged from the mothballs this week to huff and puff on behalf of the Ledbury English Festival.

The event runs from Friday to Saturday, April 21-29, and will be launched with a barn dance and a performance by the Lassington Oak Morris Men at the Community Hall.

Other highlights will include a performance by Ledbury Choral Society of Mendelssohn's Elijah on April 22 at Ledbury Parish Church and a big street fair at St Katherine's car park on St George's Day itself, April 23. This will feature maypole dancing, morris dancing and a parade of dragons.

Festival organisers have written to businesses in the town asking for sponsorship. Individuals can become a friend for £30, a joint sponsor for £100 and a major sponsor for £250. The box office, for ticket sales and donations, is the Tourist Information Centre in the Homend.