A FOUR day festival of summer music is back in Bishop Auckland this week after a two year gap.

New grants have given Wear Valley District Council funding to stage the event in Bishop Auckland Town Hall from today, Thursday. It opens with the Voice of the North Jazz Orchestra playing on Thursday and Friday at 10.15am and 1.30pm.

Saxophonist John Surman appears with the orchestra from 8pm on Thursday.

On Friday, Bishop Auckland Music Society have arranged a concert by violinist Alexander Wood and pianist Huw Watkins in Auckland Castle Throne Room from 7.30pm.

The Katatsiti drummers from Ghana appear in Bishop Auckand Town Centre on Saturday, from 10.30am and 3.30pm, while the Jazz Guitar Duo are in the Town Hall Gallery at 1pm.

David Napthine's play Playing for Time is on Sunday in the Town Hall at 7.30pm. Call the box office on (01388) 602610.