A PACKED programme of events for this year's Loughton Festival has been announced.

A treasure hunt, music, arts, drama and dancing are just some of the many activities set to transform the town in March and April, as organisers hope to put on the biggest and best event yet.

Last year the festival helped to collect more than £2,000 for a variety of good causes, and this time around cash raised will go to Oak View Special School in Whitehills Road, Loughton, Haven House Hospice in Woodford Green and children's charity The Dream Factory.

The City of London Corporation, which maintains forest land in the district, is also getting involved for the first time, with a day of arts and crafts for both children and adults in High Beach on Sunday April 11.

Proceedings get underway with an art show at St Mary's Church on Saturday March 13, followed by a month-long festival display at Loughton Library starting on Monday March 15.

Oak View School hosts a quiz night and raffle on Friday March 19 from 7pm, while Youth Music Festival at Loughton Methodist Church in the High Road will be held on Saturday March 20.

Music will be provided by A Level music students, with former Top of The Pops director Stuart McDonald scheduled to appear as guest of honour.

And the town is set to be overrun on Sunday March 28 for the Great Loughton Treasure Hunt. Teams of four to six people can battle it out to solve a variety of clues hidden across the area.

The chase begins at St Mary's Church and costs £3 per team.

On April 10 a writers forum will feature Essex writers Katherine Budd and Pam Ng Ig Ok talking about the industry, while Saturday April 17 sees a lecture on Dickens and his links with the district.

Meanwhile hundreds of residents are expected to pound the pavements on Sunday April 18 at the mayor's Charity Fun Run between 10.30am and 12 noon.

On the evening of Sunday April 25 Loughton Club hosts the festival's Charity Gala, with live music, dancers, a raffle, book sale and bar. Family tickets are available for £10.

Visit www.loughtonfestival.org.uk or call 020 8508 2512 for more information on taking part, booking a place at an event, and for a full line-up of the festival.