STUDENTS from Richmond School are to play a major role in the town's annual summer festival this year.

An open-air performance of the school's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in the town's Friary Gardens, on the festival's opening night of Friday, July 4, will be followed by a repeat performance on the Sunday.

The school's steel pan band, Pandemonium - formed after a series of workshops with professional steel pan players Steel Bands North - will also play in the Friary Gardens on the Sunday afternoon, alongside the more traditional Richmond School Wind Band.

The school's director of performing arts, Richard Jones, said: "We're delighted to be taking part in the fourth Richmond Festival, especially as this is the year the school has been awarded specialist status in the performing arts. Students have worked very hard to prepare for all performances and we hope they will be well supported by local residents, as well as visitors."

Richmond Festival will be officially opened by the town's Mayor, Councillor Stuart Parsons, at Richmond Castle, at 9am, on Friday, July 4.

The weekend also includes the town's annual Sheep on Show competition, which challenges shoppers to spot amusing cardboard cut-outs put up around the town.

There will also be an art exhibition, a family It's a Knockout tournament hosted by Richmond Scouts, and a parade by marching bands.

Festival programmes, and entry forms for the Sheep on Show competition, are available from the Richmond Tourist Information Centre, Ken Warne grocers, and Richmond library.