THE second-ever Woodford Festival starts with a bang today with a huge variety of events.

This weekend marks the culmination of months of planning and rehearsing, with more than 100 different activities scheduled for over the next nine days.

It is only the second time such a festival has been held in the Woodford area, and organisers hope to make it an annual fixture if it proves successful again like last year.

It all kicks off at 10am with the opening of a display by local artists at St Mary's Church.

Simultaneously, a free arts workshop for youngsters aged from eight to 18 will start at South Woodford Library.

Other events throughout the day include an official opening ceremony and organ recital at St Mary's church at 11am, a beer festival at the George pub in South Woodford and a world food festival at South Woodford's Holy Trinity Church between 12 noon and 3pm.

Musical performances include a show by the Woodford Wheezards jazz band outside South Woodford's Waitrose between 11am and 2pm and by the Woodford Salvation Army Band outside South Woodford Sainsbury's at the same time.

Woodford Fire station swings opens its doors from 11am till 4pm, and Monkhams Lane hosts an Arts Trial between 11am and 5pm.

This evening will also see five concerts being held across the area.

The Redbridge Drama Centre in South Woodford hosts performances by folk masters Jim Bainbridge and Mawkin Causley at 8pm. Entry is £10.

St Mary's church will have an Elizabethan music night from 7.30pm and All Saints church presents a show of classical music and Jewish dancing at 7pm (entry tickets available only in advance for £10).

Salway Evangelical Church has a jazz concert at 8pm, while Mohabir Restaurant also hosts a jazz night from 7.30pm in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Go to woodfordfestival.org.uk for more information and a full programme of events.