THIS year’s Loughton Festival is due to start next week with organisers promising it will be by far the biggest yet.

The month long festival, which will feature walks, talks, readings and music will start with workshops at Roding Valley High School, in Alderton Hill, Loughton every day from Monday, April 6, until Thursday, April 9.

The sessions will include drama, storytelling and music. Tickets cost £3 and are available from Jen Smith on 07702 852 605.

The Festival continues until May 23 with planned events including a talk on Winston Churchill, a literary ramble through Epping Forest, and a performance of Anything Goes by the Loughton Operatic Society.

A display to mark the festival can be viewed in the upstairs gallery at Loughton Library, in Traps Hill, from April 3 to 24.

For more information visit loughtonfestival.org.uk.