SOUTH American exuberance will be bringing Ledbury alive as the town's internationally renowned poetry festival gets underway, writes CATHERINE SHOVLIN.

The streets will be filled with dancers moving to the sounds of Cuban band 'Raices Cubanas' on Saturday, July 1, as part of the county's cultural summer highlight.

Latin American dance fans are encouraged to get in some practice to take part in the 'Ledbury in Rhythm' contest to be judged during the weekend event.

Two local bands will also be performing on the day, which follows on from the festival's opening on Thursday, June 29.

Ledbury's High Street will be closed off for the Town Party at 5pm for the Midlands' unique event.

The Malvern Samba Band and the Tango Band will be warming up the crowd from 5.15pm before Cuba's leading musical group takes centre stage.

Raices Cubanas are led by violinist Omar Puente, a regular performer in Havana's music halls, the New York Jazz Festival, the Barbican and with Whitney Houston and Tony Bennett.

Festival director Richard Surman said: "Everyone is welcome. This party has to be the best music event in the county - and it's free!"

Some of the country's leading poets will be among the exceptional line-up of more than 70 events for the 10-day programme. They include Tom Paulin, Craig Raine, John Agard, Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, Robert Minhinnick, Catherine Fisher, Sheenagh Pugh and Brian Johnson.

Flamenco, the art of Spanish words and music, is brought to life by the award-winning poet Jose Maria Velasquez, singer Maria Vargas - 'Queen of the Gypsy Song' - and Paco Cepero, one of Spain's finest Flamenco guitarists. It is their first performance in Britain.

International artists performing include Palestinian poet Zakaria Mohammed, Jamiaca's Jean 'Binta' Breeze, German-born Michael Hofmann, South African Vuyelwa Carlin, and New York's Michael Donaghy, Eva Salzman and Stacey Kent, the leading jazz vocalist who is billed to close the festival.

Details on 01531 634156.