International, national and local acts will be performing at this year’s Deal Festival of Music and the Arts.

Ticket sales for the 15-day festival, which begins on July 4, are going well but organisers hope to increase audiences.

There will be music from composers as diverse as Bach to Lennon and McCartney.

The programme also includes a free concert by Betteshanger Brass Band and a rare visit by Russian Chamber Philharmonic St Petersberg.

The festival launch was attended by more than 50 people at the Royal Hotel, Beach Street.

Publicity officer Willie Coooper said: “It was a celebration to thank those who support the festival, which this year has 39 events.”

~For full details, see this week’s East Kent Mercury, out on Thursday.